Sero-Epidemiology of Brucellosis in Pastoral Fulani Communities and Cattle in Adamawa State

Brucellosis is a neglected zoonotic infection of significant public health and veterinary importance in Nigeria's pastoral north, yet systematic sero-epidemiological studies linking human and bovine Brucella infection in Adamawa State remain scarce. This study determines the seroprevalence of Brucella infection in pastoral Fulani communities and their cattle herds in Adamawa State, North East Nigeria, exploring risk factors for transmission. Serum samples were collected from 200 pastoral Fulani adults and 150 cattle from herds across Mubi North, Numan, and Fufore LGAs. Rose Bengal plate test and competitive ELISA were used for screening and confirmation in both human and bovine samples. A structured questionnaire captured risk exposure variables including raw milk consumption, obstetric fluid contact, and slaughter practices. Human seroprevalence was 18.5 percent and bovine seroprevalence was 24 percent. Significant associations in humans included raw milk consumption (OR 3.4), assisting in animal parturition without protective equipment (OR 4.7), and cattle-intensive household occupation. Spatial analysis showed clustering of human positivity around herds with high bovine seroprevalence. Brucella abortus was the dominant species by confirmatory testing. The study establishes Adamawa State pastoral communities as a high-burden brucellosis zone and recommends a coordinated One Health response involving veterinary vaccination campaigns and human serological surveillance. Keywords: brucellosis, seroprevalence, pastoral Fulani, Adamawa State, zoonosis