Prevalence of bovine brucellosis using the competitive ELISA test in la Canada de Urdaneta municipality, Zulia state, Venezuela

A seroepidemiological study was made in all of the sectors (1 to 10) of La Ca (n) over tilde ada de Urdaneta municipality of Zulia state in 1999 with the purpose of determining the prevalence of bovine brucelosis and evaluating the risk factors which promote the presence of the disease. A random stratified proportional sampling methodology was applied, including 387 herds with a population of 47,421 females over 24 months of age; 384 samples from 143 selected herds were evaluated using a competitive ELISA test in the solid phase (C-ELISA), determining a seroprevalence of 20.3% for herds and 9.1% per animal. In reference to risk factors, a statistical association (P<0.025) between the type of farm, the veterinary attendance and the frequency, the reproductive handling and the heifer calf handing procedures were determined with positive cows related to the presence of brucella infection.