PREVALENCE OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS IN BOVINE SUB CLINICAL MASTITIS AND HYGIENIC MILK HANDLING AND PRACTICE IN SELECTED DAIRY FARMS OF MAAYAA CITY, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Staphylococcus is causing the majority of mastitis cases in different dairy regions around the world. A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2022 to November 2023 to isolate Staphylococcus aureus and Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus from bovine subclinical mastitis, estimate prevalence, and assess hygienic milk handling practices in selected dairy farms in Haramaya district, Eastern Ethiopia. Milk sample were collected using a purposive sampling technique and analyzed using STATA software. A semi-structured questionnaire survey and observation, a California mastitis test, bacterial isolation, and identification were conducted during the study. A total of 379 dairy cows from nine (9) dairy farms were screened for subclinical mastitis by the California mastitis test. The prevalence of subclinical mastitis in the study areas was based on the California mastitis test. 379 (51.45%) were positive for subclinical mastitis. The prevalence of 112 (29.55%) of Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus was higher than that of Staphylococcus aureus 83 (21.9%). Among the risk factors studied, subclinical mastitis due to Staphylococcus was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in older cows (94.3%) than younger cows (58.6%), in cows during late lactation (91.9%), and in cows that gave more than 5 births (87%). Respondents with an age group ranging from 25 to 50 years and a higher educational level were aware that drinking raw milk is a possible source of Staphylococcus. In addition, this is an opportunity to create awareness about the prevention and control of zoonosis among actively involved groups of society. An observational assessment of the milk handling practices on dairy farms showed that about 55.5% of them did not wash their hands before milking. The study showed that the hygienic status of the udder and houses of lactating cows in the majority of dairy farms in the study area were poor, and the prevalence of subclinical mastitis and Staphylococcus species was high. This suggests that more work on awareness creation is required in societies with lower educational levels compared to those with higher educational levels. Based on the results, creating awareness, careful hygienic milking practices, and regular health monitoring should be practiced to reduce the prevalence of subclinical mastitis and Staphylococcus infection.