Prevalence of Bovine Subclinical Mastitis and Associated Risk Factors at Sylhet District in Bangladesh

Subclinical mastitis is a prevalent issue in dairy farming, leading to significant economic losses. This study aims to determine the prevalence of subclinical mastitis in the Sylhet district and identify associated risk factors. Understanding these factors is crucial for developing effective control strategies. A total of 114 dairy cows from 22 dairy farms were sampled for this study, and the milk of the cows was screened for SCM using the California Mastitis Test (CMT). Results reveal that the prevalence of SCM at the individual cow and farm level was 25.43% and 31.81%, respectively. Nevertheless, a chi-square (χ2) statistical analysis showed that the incidence of SCM was significantly correlated (p˂0.05) with variables like milk yield and the educational status of farmers. Contrarily, the factors such as the type of house, adequate drainage facilities, floor type, udder washing before milking, farmer's occupation, professional experience, milking method, breed, age, and lactation stage showed no significant association (p>0.05) with the prevalence of SCM. In conclusion, the results of this study demonstrate the high prevalence of SCM, which poses a serious risk to the productivity performance of the dairy business. To combat the disease, CMT screenings on a regular basis, good hygiene, improved management practices and farmer awareness are recommended in the studied areas.