¹Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Abuja, Nigeria.

²Department of Veterinary Public Health, University of Abuja, Nigeria.

³Federal Livestock Department, Benin Outstation, Edo State, Nigeria

⁴Department of Microbiology, School of Science, ATBU Bauchi, Nigeria.

Accepted 16^th March, 2012

Growing concern over the increasing number of women participation in post slaughter and meat by- product processing in Ilorin slaughter slab necessitated this study over a three month period in the year 2011. This was to establish the occurrence and possible effect of Brucella abortus infected blood on this vulnerable group.  Sera obtained randomly from blood of slaughtered cattle fortnightly were screened for Brucella abortus antibodies using Rose Bengal Plate test (RBPT) and Microtitre Serum Agglutination test (MSAT) in accordance with standard methods. Out of the total of 261 cattle screened 10 (3.8%) were positive with 6 (2.3%) cows and 4 (1.5%) bulls. Amongst these positive cattle, white Fulani (Bunaji) breed showed the most infected 8(3.0%) and 2 (0.8%) in Sokoto gudali (Bokoloji) breed. Further analysis of sera by MSAT showed all the 3 (1.1%) positive were female white Fulani cattle. Cattle breed and sex showed association with the disease. Oral interview with a cross section of these women revealed that blood collected is processed into various meals for fish, pigs, dogs, poultry and the human delicacy popularly called “siki” as means of revenue generation and livelihood. Attempts to collect blood specimens from these workers for Brucella antibody screening yielded no positive efforts. In conclusion, this finding indicates the occurrence of Brucella abortus in cattle and by implication the possibility of transmission to these women and other domestic animals. Public awareness especially amongst vulnerable group on the potential dangers as well as creating and promoting women entrepreneurship in other economic sectors that have minimal occupational health risk factors is thus recommended.

Key words: sero-prevalence, Brucella abortus antibodies, slaughtered cattle, meat by-product handlers, Ilorin kwara state.

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