Small ruminant production in Kosovo is predominantly extensive, and biosecurity practices remain poorly characterized. The emergence of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in Europe (beginning in 2024) and the first confirmed case in Kosovo (July 2025) highlight the urgent need for baseline biosecurity data to inform disease control. A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted on 63 small ruminant farms (53 meat-producing, 10 dairy-producing) across seven municipalities in Kosovo between September 2025 and February 2026. Biosecurity practices were assessed using the Biocheck.UGent™ questionnaire during direct on-farm visits. External (Ext) biosecurity scores (preventing pathogen introduction) were higher (p < 0.0001) than internal (Int) scores (limiting spread within farms). For external biosecurity, the highest scores were observed for purchase and reproduction (Ext A), intermediate scores existed for feed and water (Ext C) and visitors and farm workers (Ext D), and the lowest scores were found for transport and carcass removal (Ext B) and infrastructure (Ext E). For internal biosecurity, the highest scores were observed for lamb/kid management (Int H) and dairy management (Int I), followed by the management of adult animals (Int J); work organization (Int K) and reproduction management (Int G) formed an intermediate-low cluster, whereas disease management (Int F) scored the lowest. Benchmarking against the Biocheck.UGent™ worldwide database (predominantly intensive systems, thus not directly comparable) indicated that internal biosecurity and overall biosecurity levels were lower than the benchmark, while external biosecurity was comparable for some components. Given the convenience sample (36.4% response rate), findings are exploratory and are not directly generalizable. Larger herd size was positively correlated with external (ρ = 0.54, p < 0.0001), internal (ρ = 0.35, p = 0.005), and overall (ρ = 0.57, p < 0.0001) biosecurity scores. This first empirical biosecurity assessment of small ruminant farms in Kosovo reveals critical gaps in transport hygiene, disease management, and reproductive management pathways that enable PPR spread and perpetuate endemic zoonoses. The positive association between herd size and biosecurity may indicate structural barriers and/or knowledge gaps for small farms. Current biosecurity tools, designed for intensive systems, require adaptation for extensive production systems. These findings provide a baseline for targeted interventions, policy development, and validation of context-appropriate biosecurity instruments in Kosovo and similar extensive systems globally.

The Schmallenberg virus (SBV), an orthobunyavirus, recently emerged in Germany in 2011. It spreads rapidly via the Culicoides vector, causing a decline in milk production, abortions and malformations in cattle, sheep and goats. These significant economic losses for farmers, as well as the difficulty in diagnosing the disease due to its similarity to other abortive diseases such as bluetongue, epizootic haemorrhagic disease, bovine viral diarrhea and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, make it an important subject of study in Algeria. The aim of this study was to detect the presence of antibodies against the Schmallenberg virus in dairy cows that had aborted in Algeria. 458 serum samples from cows that had aborted, belonging to 159 farms, were tested for the presence of anti-SBV antibodies using an indirect ELISA kit, supplemented by a survey questionnaire designed to identify risk factors associated with exposure to the Schmallenberg virus. The individual seroprevalence obtained was 46.3 0/0 (212/458), with the year of visit in 2016 (odds ratio [OR] = 9.84; P = 0.007) and 2019 (OR = 14.39; P = 0.004) and the winter season (OR = 2.05; P = 0.037) being factors associated with an increased risk of individual exposure. Another factor identified as being associated with a reduced risk of exposure was the 4th month of gestation (OR = 0.41; P = 0.038). The seroprevalence of the herd was 73.6 0/0 (117/159). At the herd level, herd size was the only factor associated with an increased risk of exposure to SBV (OR = 1.04; P = 0.01). The factors were associated with a reduced risk of exposure (implementation of a rodent and pest control plan, and presence of moulds in animal feed). The implementation of surveillance and prevention protocols for this disease is essential to protect animal health and the economy of cattle farms.

Over the last decades, biosecurity has received increasing attention in veterinary medicine and was recently integrated as a competency for One Health field epidemiology framework by international bodies. It is also a standard in the European System of Evaluation of Veterinary Training and in the accreditation of veterinary colleges by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. To help veterinary students and staff acquire biosecurity skills within veterinary education establishments, we first develop animal biosecurity research, and we spread its results through four interconnected instruments: biosecurity standard operating policies and procedures, a dedicated biosecurity website, an annual biosecurity day, and the production of checklists to assess the biosecurity level of compliance. The use of biosecurity standard operating procedures, the number of visits on the faculty biosecurity website, the number of people trained, and regular biosecurity audits performed are all factors that have contributed to the animal biosecurity to comply with the requirements of the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education and by the Council on Outcomes-based Veterinary Education, in the CBVE 2.0 book published by the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges. These approaches also contribute to the acquisition and maintenance of the accreditation delivered by the ad hoc bodies. The participation of students in the process allows a better comprehension and appropriation of animal biosecurity.

Tick-borne diseases (TBDs), such as anaplasmosis and babesiosis, pose significant challenges to dairy farming in subtropical regions, where balancing tick control with immune development is essential to maintaining herd health. This study evaluated the immune responses of calves raised under confined and traditional systems in Ecuador. Serum samples from 124 cows and their calves were analysed using ELISA assays to detect Anaplasma marginale antibodies and Babesia bovis antigens. The results showed a significantly higher seroprevalence of A. marginale antibodies in calves reared under traditional systems (98 %) compared to those raised under confinement (32 %) (p < 0.01), suggesting that early exposure to infected ticks enhances immune response development. In contrast, antigen levels for B. bovis were low overall (1 % Ag-prevalence), suggesting limited pathogen circulation, although the Ag-prevalence was slightly higher in traditional systems (2 %). In confined systems, maternal antibody transfer appeared to play a more prominent role, whereas calves in traditional systems developed a more active, independent immunity. These findings highlight the importance of calf-rearing strategies that incorporate controlled tick exposure alongside targeted management practices to enhance herd resilience and mitigate economic losses. A balanced approach considering endemic stability could improve long-term protection against TBDs in subtropical dairy farming systems.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an obligate intracellular tick-borne bacterium widely distributed across the northern hemisphere. It is the causative agent of tick-borne fever in ruminants and human granulocytic anaplasmosis. The epidemiology of A. phagocytophilum infection differs markedly between the USA and Europe. In the USA, human granulocytic anaplasmosis represents an increasing public health concern, whereas infections in ruminants are rarely reported. In contrast, in Europe only sporadic human cases have been described, while infections in ruminants cause significant economic losses. Previous genomic studies based on limited datasets suggested genetic divergence between USA and European strains, but the small number of available genomes, particularly from Europe, limited robust conclusions. In this study, we report 12 new European A. phagocytophilum genomes, including four human-derived genomes and eight genomes from cattle. Using a capture-based short-read sequencing approach, we doubled the number of publicly available European genomes. In addition, systematic quality assessment of these public assemblies revealed variable genome completeness and the presence of contamination in several genomes. After curation of these datasets and inclusion of our 12 new sequenced genomes, comparative genomic analyses were performed using phylogenetic and population genetic approaches. Our results confirm a marked genetic divergence between European and USA strains. Hence, the capture-based short-read sequencing can be performed on samples from naturally infected humans and ruminants to increase the representation of European genomes, particularly human isolates, confirming A. phagocytophilum population structure patterns previously inferred from limited gene-based and provide new potential genomic markers that may help identify lineages associated with zoonotic transmission.

The development of beekeeping in Ecuador has generated the need to strengthen the bee health program. Research on the main pathogens responsible for diseases like nosemosis, which can severely impact bee health, is of special interest. This study aims to identify the Nosema apis and/or Nosema ceranae species infecting honey bee colonies located in the northern Andean region of Ecuador using multiplex PCR targeting the RNA polymerase II gene (RPB1), and the phylogenetic analysis of N. ceranae based on the 16 S rRNA gene sequences. Among the 164 honey bee samples collected from colonies in the provinces of Carchi, Imbabura, and Pichincha, the prevalence of Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae was 14.63% and 21.34%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that N. ceranae from Ecuador is closely related to the sequences from Argentina and Brazil. These findings provide the first molecular confirmation of N. ceranae in Ecuador and support the need for molecular monitoring of honey bee pathogens in the region.

The study addresses the growing risk of infectious disease outbreaks in livestock by developing and applying a composite resilience index to evaluate the adaptive capacity of Belgian cattle farmers in implementing biosecurity measures (BSMs). The framework integrates three core dimensions, that is, implementation, feasibility and effectiveness, across three priority diseases representing distinct epidemiological profiles and transmission routes like brucellosis, bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). The analysis combines three data sources as follows: (i) a farm-level survey documenting the implementation of 41 BSM across 100 cattle farms, (ii) a feasibility assessment conducted with a panel of 38 farmers and (iii) expert evaluations of the disease-specific effectiveness of each BSM. Farm-level resilience scores were computed by weighting the degree of implementation by the feasibility and effectiveness of each BSM. Results show marked heterogeneity in resilience scores (17% to 99%) and in both the feasibility and adoption of BSM. Several measures assessed as both effective and feasible exhibited low uptake, indicating the existence of behavioural and perceptual barriers. The overall resilience index followed a normal distribution and was significantly higher in dairy farms than in beef farms, while no significant differences were observed between provinces. The study introduces a robust, evidence-based tool for assessing and benchmarking farm-level biosecurity resilience. It concludes that enhancing resilience depends less on the number of BSM implemented than on the strategic selection of context-appropriate, feasible, and effective measures. The findings support a shift towards disease-specific, tailored biosecurity strategies and highlight the need for further research into the behavioural determinants of feasibility.

As part of the PRISMA project, which promotes research and innovation for productive, resilient, and healthy agro-pastoral systems in West Africa, a cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess the apparent seroprevalence and investigate epidemiological factors associated with bovine brucellosis in dairy herds. The survey was carried out in Mali (Bamako, Koulikoro, Mopti, and Sikasso regions) and Niger (Tahoua, Dosso, and Tillabéry regions). A total of 1230 animals from 82 herds were tested, including 645 animals from 43 herds in Mali and 585 animals from 39 herds in Niger. At the herd level, apparent seroprevalence was significantly higher in Mali than in Niger (37.21% vs. 15.38%). Within each country, animal-level seroprevalence varied across region, with the highest levels observed in Bamako (11.11%) and Mopti (7.62%) in Mali, and Dosso (6.67%) in Niger. High within-herd prevalence (>20%) was identified in only one herd per country. The higher overall herd-level seroprevalence in Mali was primarily driven by a greater number of herds with low (≤10%) within-herd seroprevalence. Univariate risk factor analysis at the animal level identified a borderline trend toward higher odds of seropositivity in crossbred cattle than other breeds (OR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.00-3.81, p = 0.0503). In addition, a classification tree analysis highlighted seven exploratory signals of the positive herd status. These included four animal/management-level factors-herd region, environmental disposal of aborted placentas, the number of lactating cows (as a proxy for animal density), and reported herd abortions-as well as three human-level signals within the household: a history of miscarriage, experiencing heavy night sweats, and suffering from undulant fever. In conclusion, this survey provides new insights into bovine brucellosis and its epidemiology in dairy herds in Mali and Niger, confirming established high-prevalence areas such as Bamako and identifying new zones of concern, such as Mopti and Dosso. Our findings underscore that bovine brucellosis remains an important public health and economic threat in both countries. Given that the identified positive regions are hubs for milk production and consumption, these data may support health authorities in implementing targeted surveillance, control, and prevention strategies under a One Health approach.

Biosecurity plays a central role in preventing disease transmission in dairy production systems and animal welfare. However, quantitative data on biosecurity implementation in smallholder and medium-scale dairy farms remains inconsistent, especially in developing countries. This study provides a structured assessment of on-farm biosecurity practices in northern Kosovo using a standardized, risk-based scoring approach. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 55 dairy farms using the unmodified Biocheck.UGent (TM) dairy questionnaire. External and internal biosecurity scores were calculated through predefined, weighted algorithms and analyzed using non-parametric descriptive statistics. Farm-level results were subsequently compared with international reference values derived from the Biocheck.UGent (TM) global database. The median biosecurity scores for Kosovo farms were 47.8% for external biosecurity and 29.0% for internal biosecurity, indicating uneven implementation with pronounced weaknesses in measures designed to limit within-herd transmission. The lowest-scoring domains were purchase and reproduction and feed and water within external biosecurity, and working organization and equipment, calf management, and calving management within internal biosecurity. In contrast, visitors and farmworkers, control of vermin and other animals among external measures, and adult cattle management among internal measures, showed relatively higher scores, although all remained below international reference levels. When compared with the global overall biosecurity reference median of 76.7% derived from the Biocheck.UGent (TM) database, the biosecurity performance of the surveyed dairy farms in Kosovo was substantially lower. This gap does not indicate a complete absence of biosecurity measures but rather an uneven application, with the most pronounced deficiency observed in routine practices that govern within-herd disease transmission. The use of a risk-based scoring system allowed these weaknesses to be identified in a structured manner and placed the Kosovo results within an international benchmarking framework. In this context, the approach functions as a practical diagnostic tool, enabling farmers and veterinarians to prioritize feasible, epidemiological-relevant improvements within small- and medium-scale dairy production settings.

The keeping of non-traditional pets has markedly increased in recent years. These species are frequently maintained under inadequate or illegal conditions, raising substantial concerns regarding animal welfare. Authorities are regularly required to confiscate reptiles, arachnids, and other exotic taxa—often in poor health—and to accommodate them temporarily in transit facilities while long-term placement options are identified. Existing facilities are operating beyond capacity, creating an urgent need for the development of additional infrastructure. Given the potential risks associated with these animals, stringent safety measures are essential. Following an assessment of the hazards linked to housing primarily reptiles and arachnids—including risks related to venomous species, transmission of zoonotic pathogens, and the escape of potentially invasive organisms—the present paper provides a set of recommendations for the design and operation of transit housing facilities. The guidance focuses on infrastructure requirements, routine and emergency procedures, and daily management practices for both animals and facilities. Although these recommendations were developed within the specific regulatory framework of Southern Belgium, they may be applied more broadly, provided that local regulations are appropriately considered.

Background: Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus is transmitted to humans via tick bites and occasionally via the consumption of unpasteurized milk products. According to the literature, the most important driver of TBE emergence and increase in incidence in humans is changes in human behaviour/activities. Method and principal findings: To compensate for the lack of data, expert opinions were gathered to identify the risk factors for exposure to tick bites linked to twenty-eight human activities (professional or recreational) in forests and to target prevention messages at the populations most at risk. Opinions were elicited from a total of twenty-five European experts. Seven criteria were included in the analysis for each activity: frequency, seasonality, duration of exposure, distance covered, degree of contact with vegetation, speed and average level of protection against tick bites. The activities considered to be the most at risk of exposure to tick bites are, in descending order: three occupational activities (forest monitoring activities, forestry and wood industry activities and scientific and/or analytical activities), five recreational activities and one hunting activity (mushroom picking, spending the night in the forest, hunting, naturalist activities, orienteering, and berry or fruit picking). Conclusions and significance: Prevention messages regarding tick bites could be targeted at people who engage in activities considered in this analysis to be at highest risk of exposure to tick bites.

Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) in animals are responsible for disruptive outbreaks in the agricultural sector. Animal health preparedness includes timely and effective vaccines, which face regulatory and economic constraints in the European Union (EU). The International Alliance for Biological Standardization hosted a meeting to address these challenges and promote discussion between different European stakeholders, with the aims of identifying current preparedness obstacles in the EU and sharing different experiences from Member States, while additionally sharing the veterinary vaccine industry perspective.Preparedness must distinguish between expected events (usually slow-spreading diseases) and unexpected events (typically EIDs), for which the appropriate vaccination strategies remain uncertain. Key considerations include economic constraints, defining target diseases and species, and balancing the aim for ideal vaccines vs timely efficacious vaccines. Ultimately, decision-makers must address whether to react to outbreaks or proactively develop solutions in advance. Practical recommendations based on the derived discussion included the development of a collaborative framework for decision-making between different stakeholders, dedicated funds for EIDs, communication strategies with the general public, addressing logistical issues, and implementing regulatory advances to respond to emergency situations, applying pragmatic and risk-balanced approaches.

IntroductionAmblyomma cajennense sensu lato represents a significant challenge for sustainable tick control in tropical cattle systems due to its ecological adaptability, wide host range, and frequent co-occurrence with Rhipicephalus microplus. This study evaluated the occurrence of acaricide resistance in A. cajennense s.l. populations collected from cattle farms in coastal Ecuador.MethodsA cross-sectional field assessment was conducted on seven farms (Esmeraldas, n = 2; Manabí, n = 5) that met the minimum requirement of 30 engorged A. cajennense s.l. females per farm for resistance testing. Tick larvae were subjected to larval packet tests to determine susceptibility to three commonly used acaricides: amitraz, ivermectin, and alpha-cypermethrin.ResultsPhenotypic resistance to at least one acaricide was detected on all evaluated farms. Resistance prevalence was 43% for amitraz, 86% for ivermectin, and 100% for alpha-cypermethrin. Multi-resistance occurred on 86% of farms. Estimated lethal dose values revealed extremely high LD₉₀ and LD₉₉ levels, frequently exceeding recommended commercial concentrations by several orders of magnitude. Exploratory screening suggested that extensive cattle production systems and the presence of alternative hosts, particularly horses and other equids, may contribute to resistance emergence and persistence.DiscussionThe results are particularly relevant because A. cajennense s.l. frequently co-occurs with R. microplus on cattle farms, although the two species differ substantially in ecology, host use, and life cycle. Control strategies primarily designed for R. microplus, such as whole-animal acaricide treatments, may have limited impact on Amblyomma populations maintained through wildlife hosts and environmental stages. This study provides the first evidence of acaricide resistance in A. cajennense s.l. in Ecuador and highlights the need for species-specific management strategies, improved resistance monitoring, and integrated tick control programs adapted to multi-species infestations in tropical livestock systems.

OBJECTIVES:Economic evidence on health losses can guide prioritisation of prevention policies for emerging zoonotic risks. Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is gaining attention in Western Europe, and notifications are rising in France. Our goal is to scope existing European burden estimates and to generate the first national figures for France using a standardized framework that can inform health policies. STUDY DESIGN:This study was designed as a nationwide model-based cost-of-illness analysis combining a systematic literature review with a decision-tree simulation to estimate the costs of TBE in France. METHODS:The systematic scoping review (2000-2025) identified studies reporting TBE costs. Our original estimate for France relied on the BCoDE (Burden of Communicable Disease in Europe) model (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, ECDC) to simulate health states and lost DALYs (disability-adjusted life years) due to infections in France (2024). Direct medical costs, indirect productivity losses, and intangible welfare losses were included. Sensitivity analyses explored ranges for uncertain parameters. RESULTS:In France, total direct costs amounted to €2,021,701 and indirect costs to €289,550, averaging €11,112 per case. TBE caused about 43 lost DALYs, which translated into €33,229 per case. The annual burden was €9.22 million, with 75% intangible, 22% direct, and 3% indirect. Although aggregate burden remains low, per-case welfare losses are high. CONCLUSIONS:Our findings provide the first quantitative TBE burden estimation for prevention planning in France. They support targeted vaccination and strengthened surveillance in emerging areas.

Canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (CIPF) is a progressive parenchymal lung disease of unknown origin, primarily affecting older West Highland white terriers (WHWTs). The aims of this study were to describe demographic characteristics of a large cohort of WHWTs with CIPF and to investigate potential predictive factors associated with disease occurrence and mortality, using a questionnaire-based survey.Completed surveys were obtained from 457 respondents representing 542 WHWTs, of which 29.7% were reported to suffer from CIPF. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the population. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictive factors associated with CIPF diagnosis and mortality.Median age at diagnosis was 11.6 years (interquartile range: 9.1-13.3). Lung crackles were reported in 87% of affected dogs. At the time of survey completion, 54.9% of CIPF-affected WHWTs were deceased. Median survival time following diagnosis was 1 year (interquartile range: 0.32-2 years), and cause of death was CIPF-related in 77% of cases.After adjustment for confounding factors, increased odds of CIPF were associated with older age, United Kingdom residence, familial history of CIPF, cardiac disease, regular grooming in dedicated facilities, and treatment for external parasites. Conversely, having a pedigree was associated with reduced odds of disease. Among affected dogs, living in homes containing asbestos increased odds of death, whereas cardiac disease and frequent home grooming were associated with reduced odds of mortality.These findings suggest that genetic background, environmental exposures, care-related factors, and comorbid conditions may influence the occurrence and outcome of CIPF in the studied WHWT population.

Background: Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) remains an important yet frequently neglected zoonosis in West Africa. Its impact is worsened by diagnostic challenges, underreporting, insufficient One Health strategies, and rising antimicrobial resistance. This systematic review consolidates existing evidence on the epidemiology, diagnostic, and preventive and control measures related to bTB in the region. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published from 2010 to 2025 across five databases. Out of 312 records, 30 studies meet the inclusion criteria. Data collected included prevalence, transmission, diagnostic methods, genetic diversity, and antimicrobial resistance related to Mycobacterium bovis in West Africa, in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Findings: Reported bTB prevalence ranged from below 0.9% to above 3.6% in humans and up to 34.9% in cattle across studies. Molecular analysis confirmed Mycobacterium bovis in both animals and humans, supporting zoonotic transmission. Spoligotype SB0944 was among the most frequently reported profile, with notable genetic diversity. Human Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) isolates (lineages L4 to L6) were frequent and required a clear distinction from M. bovis. Antimicrobial resistance mutations were primarily observed in human MTBC isolates, with limited evidence directly linking resistant M. bovis strains to zoonotic transmission. Interpretation: bTB epidemiology in West Africa is marked by scattered data, varied diagnostic methods, and limited integration between human and animal health systems. To enhance detection, monitoring, prevention, and control of zoonotic tuberculosis across the region, it is crucial to strengthen unified surveillance, broaden access to molecular diagnostics, and adopt coordinated One Health approaches.

Stingless bees are native to tropical climates. Ecuador, located in South America, has more than 200 species of stingless bees and a long ancestral history of using products derived from them, such as pot-honey, pot-pollen, cerumen, and propolis. The value of stingless bees also includes their role as pollinators, which directly impacts the availability of food for humans. Like other pollinators around the world, they are exposed to both anthropogenic and natural threats, which have been increasing due to environmental changes. Meliponiculture is a practice that not only makes use of stingless bee products but also promotes the care and conservation of meliponines within sustainable agroecological systems.

Background: Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) caused by Mycobacterium bovis is a major zoonotic disease in West Africa. In Africa, bTB is endemic in cattle with a prevalence ranging from 2% up to 18%. The disease causes significant public health risks due to unpasteurized milk and milk product consumption. In the context of the EU-PRISMA project, which promotes research and innovation for productive, resilient, and healthy agropastoral systems in West Africa, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in dairy herds from Mali and Niger to assess animal, herd, and within-herd bTB prevalence, as well as to identify animal risk factors and predictors of bTB herd status. Method and principal findings: A random cross-sectional survey on dairy cattle farms using comparative intradermal tuberculin test and epidemiological inquiry was performed in four regions of Mali (Bamako, Koulikoro, Mopti, and Sikasso) and three regions of Niger (Tahoua, Dosso, and Tillabéry). Herd and animal prevalence of bTB and within-herd prevalence were significantly higher in Mali (especially in Bamako and Koulikoro) than in Niger. Several risk factors were significantly associated with animals positive to bTB, i.e., the region where animals live, the age range from 3 to 7 years old, and female animals. In addition, in regions with higher bTB prevalence, the herd with slaughtering of animals in the farm and the herd with the presence of an animal assembly area were associated with the most unfavorable status of a herd with regards to bTB. Moreover, the average and the median annual economic losses of bTB at animal level were estimated at €262 and €137 respectively, with large variability depending on the farm (between €46 and €838). Conclusion and significance: This survey provides useful data on bTB epidemiology and economical losses in Mali and Niger and urges for improvement of surveillance systems and prevention and control strategies. Cost-benefit, return of investment, or similar analyses are strongly recommended to help with decision making.

Background Brucellosis is endemic in Bangladesh and causes reproductive losses in cattle. At the Central Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm (CCBDF), Savar, abortion is a frequent problem but the role of Brucella abortus has not been fully confirmed. Methods Total 340 cows were randomly sampled. Herd-level infection was determined by Rose Bengal, iELISA, and Serum Agglutination tests. Fetal membranes of three cows having late-term abortion during the study were collected. Placental samples were screened by modified Ziehl–Neelsen staining and PCR targeting the B. abortus IS711 element. Positive samples were cultured on Farrell’s medium, isolates biotyped, and genotyped by MLVA-16. Results Overall seroprevalence in the sampled herd was 51/340 (15.0%). In multivariable analysis, female sex (OR = 9.62 , 95% CI 2.90–31.94; p < 0.001) and age > 3 years (OR = 7.80 , 95% CI 1.82–33.44; p = 0.006) were independently associated with seropositivity. Of three aborted placentas, 2/3 (66.7%) were positive by staining and PCR. B. abortus was isolated from these samples and identified as biovar 3 by classical bio-typing. MLVA-16 showed the isolates shared genotype 40 (Panel 1/MLVA-8) and were genetically identical to previously reported Bangladeshi biovar 3 strains, with close similarity (1–2 locus differences) to isolates from Brazil, France and China. Conclusion This study confirms B. abortus biovar 3 as a cause of abortion at the CCBDF and documents limited genetic diversity among Bangladeshi isolates. Strengthened surveillance, biosecurity at breeding centres, and One Health–oriented control measures are recommended to reduce animal losses and zoonotic risk.