PREVALENCE, ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS, AND ISOLATION OF MAJOR BACTERIAL CAUSES OF MASTITIS IN LACTATING COWS IN DARA DISTRICT SIDAMA REGIONAL-STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Mastitis is one of the most significant diseases of dairy cattle worldwide. It causes major economic losses as it adversely affects animal health, degrades milk quality and quantity and impairs public health. A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2022 to June 2023 to estimate the prevalence of mastitis, assess the associated risk factors and isolate major bacterial pathogens in lactating cows in Dara district, Sidama-Ethiopia. A total of 380 lactating cows were examined to detect mastitis using clinical examination, CMT test and bacteriological methods. Stata software version-14 was used to perform statistical analysis. An overall prevalence of mastitis in this study was 24.2% (95% CI: 20.1-28.8) with 21% subclinical and 3.2% clinical mastitis at cow level and 11.3% (95% CI: 9.4-13.4) with 9.5% subclinical and 1.8% clinical mastitis at quarter level. From observed risk factors breed, parity, management system, dry cow therapy, washing udder and milking mastitic cow last showed significant association (p<0.05) with the occurrence of mastitis in the multivariable logistic regression model. From milk samples cultured for bacteriological examination, S. aureus (32, 40.5%) followed by Streptococcus species (20, 25.3%), Coagulase negative staphylococci (133, 16.5%), E. coli (11, 13.9%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (3, 3.8%) were found to be the dominant bacterial isolates. The study revealed that mastitis is a significant problem for dairy cows, public health, and economy in the study area. Based on the study findings, improving the awareness of dairy farmers on the impact of mastitis, developing the hygienic status of cows and materials, and using of dry cow therapy are recommended as possible solutions for the prevention and control of mastitis.