Bovine brucellosis, associated risk factors and preventive measures in industrial cattle farms

Abstract Background As a zoonosis, the best way to control brucellosis in humans is to control it in domestic animals. The main purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors associated with the spread of brucellosis in industrial cattle farms, in the Isfahan province of Iran. Methods A case-control study, consisting of 32 cattle farms with a history of brucellosis in the past 12 months (as case farms), were compared with 38 cattle farms without any history of brucellosis during the same time period (as control farms), in terms of compliance with hygiene and health regulations of cattle breeding. Results Analysis of the findings of the study using multivariable logistic regression, revealed that measures such as washing of the milking equipment with chlorine and water solution (OR = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.06–0.99), daily washing of the drinking troughs (OR = 0.20; 95% CI: 0.04–0.89), crowding density of cows (OR = 0.14; 95% CI: 0.03–0.75), distance from the next infected cattle farm (OR = 4.02; 95% CI: 1.09–14.84) and Proximity to sheep farms (OR = 8.43; 95% CI: 1.66–42.70) were the most important risk factors associated with the spread of disease. There was no difference between the case and control farms in terms of the number of times that the vaccination program was carried out in cattle farms (P = 0.645). Conclusion Compliance with hygiene and health standards is very important and decisive in preventing the spread of brucellosis between industrial cattle farms.