Investigation of suspected Bovine Brucellosis cases in a Cattle Herd in Sheepmoore, Msukaligwa Sub-District, Mpumalanga Province 2025
1
1 Communicable Disease Control, Mpumalanga Department of Health, Mbombela, South Africa
2
2 South African Field Epidemiology Training Programme, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Division of the National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa
3
3 Department of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs, Mbombela, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A458
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Brucellosis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella and remains a significant public health concern. On the 29th of October 2025, four cows from a herd in Sheepmoore experienced abortions, prompting notification to the Msukaligwa sub-district Communicable Disease Control office. We investigated to confirm the existence of the outbreak, verify diagnosis, determine the extent of the outbreak, and implement control measures to stop transmission to other animals and humans.
METHODS:
We conducted a descriptive study and defined a suspected case as any cattle that experienced a miscarriage or delivered a stillborn calf or presented with orchitis or bursitis between January to November 2025, in Sheepmoore, Mpumalanga Province. A confirmed case was defined as any cattle, with laboratory confirmation abortifacient Brucella species. Data on herd composition, reproductive history, and vaccination status were collected through interviews with the cattle herd owner, and household members were screened. Blood specimens from ten cattle were tested for brucellosis using Rose Bengal and Complement Fixation Tests. Descriptive analysis was done on Microsoft Excel.
RESULTS:
The herd comprised of 16 cattle:3 bulls,9 cows, and 4 calves, all of which were vaccinated. Six pregnancies occurred between March and October 2025, resulting in four abortions and two live births. Two abortions that occurred in October 2025 were reported after implementation of the event-based surveillance. Of the 10 tested cattle, brucellosis was confirmed in one cow. A nearby herd owner reported similar symptoms in his cattle, but no follow-up conducted. Household members were asymptomatic. Immediate control involved culling infected cattle, with follow-up testing planned
CONCLUSIONS:
A cluster of suspected bovine brucellosis was identified with one laboratory-confirmed case. We recommended strengthening intersectoral outbreak response capacity for timely detection, reporting and response, cattle vaccination, and community awareness on measures to control brucellosis and prevent zoonotic transmission
Brucellosis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella and remains a significant public health concern. On the 29th of October 2025, four cows from a herd in Sheepmoore experienced abortions, prompting notification to the Msukaligwa sub-district Communicable Disease Control office. We investigated to confirm the existence of the outbreak, verify diagnosis, determine the extent of the outbreak, and implement control measures to stop transmission to other animals and humans.
METHODS:
We conducted a descriptive study and defined a suspected case as any cattle that experienced a miscarriage or delivered a stillborn calf or presented with orchitis or bursitis between January to November 2025, in Sheepmoore, Mpumalanga Province. A confirmed case was defined as any cattle, with laboratory confirmation abortifacient Brucella species. Data on herd composition, reproductive history, and vaccination status were collected through interviews with the cattle herd owner, and household members were screened. Blood specimens from ten cattle were tested for brucellosis using Rose Bengal and Complement Fixation Tests. Descriptive analysis was done on Microsoft Excel.
RESULTS:
The herd comprised of 16 cattle:3 bulls,9 cows, and 4 calves, all of which were vaccinated. Six pregnancies occurred between March and October 2025, resulting in four abortions and two live births. Two abortions that occurred in October 2025 were reported after implementation of the event-based surveillance. Of the 10 tested cattle, brucellosis was confirmed in one cow. A nearby herd owner reported similar symptoms in his cattle, but no follow-up conducted. Household members were asymptomatic. Immediate control involved culling infected cattle, with follow-up testing planned
CONCLUSIONS:
A cluster of suspected bovine brucellosis was identified with one laboratory-confirmed case. We recommended strengthening intersectoral outbreak response capacity for timely detection, reporting and response, cattle vaccination, and community awareness on measures to control brucellosis and prevent zoonotic transmission
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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