Economic burden of bovine and human brucellosis in cattle farming
communities of Adjumani district, Uganda
Abstract
Abstract This study estimated the annual economic burden of bovine and
human brucellosis in Adjumani District, Uganda in the year 2016 as
extension of a larger study that determined seroprevalence and risk
factors for brucellosis in cattle and humans. Semi-structured
questionnaires were administered to 25 households with Brucella
seropositive cattle herds and 14 households with at least one Brucella
seropositive person in order to capture economic burden in cattle and
humans respectively. Data were analyzed using MS Excel 2007. In cattle,
the total economic burden was estimated as a sum of costs associated
with mortality of Brucella seropositive cows that abort and cost of
morbidity of brucellosis among the cattle population. In humans,
brucellosis burden was quantified in Disability Adjusted Life Years
(DALYs) and monetary cost of human brucellosis episode. The total bovine
brucellosis economic burden was estimated at UGX 2,692,809,443
(745,930.41). The economic burden associated with mortality of Brucella
seropositive cows after abortion was UGX 23,488,155. Burden associated
with morbidity was UGX 2,669,321,288 (USD 739,424) per year for the
district cattle herd (131,282 cattle). The value of calves lost from
abortion and perinatal mortality and milk lost from non-aborted
seropositive cows accounted for 47% and 3.3% respectively of the total
burden. The burden of human brucellosis was estimated at 887 DALYs,
average monetary cost of human brucellosis episode was UGX 760,590 (USD
210.7) Out of which indirect cost (attributed to 14 days of lost income
from not working), direct medical expenses (diagnostics, consultation
and drugs), direct non-medical expenses (transport and food consumed)
incurred by a human brucellosis patient amounted to 55.5% (117USD),
11.84% (USD 24.94) and 32.7% (USD 68.9), respectively. One Health
approach is recommended for management of brucellosis in livestock and
humans in the district. Key words; Brucellosis, economic burden