ABSTRACT rnBrucellosis is a widespread infectious disease of livestock and wild life with serious economic rnand public health impact. Bovine brucellosis causes diminution of much needed human food rn(milk and meat). Besides, being transmitted to man, it is one of the most important causes of rnabonion, stillb irth and infertility in cattle. The objectives of this study were, to investigate th e rncurrent epidemiological picture of brucellosis in cattle in intensive and extensive management rnsystems, identify and describe some of the associated intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors and to rnsee the zoonotic imporlance of the disease. rnThe study was conducted from September 2003 to April 2004, in Sidama Zone (Southern rn;ations Nationalities Peoples Regional state). In the study area, six out of ten Waredas were rnconsidered for the investigation. Breeding cattle (n=2438 ) above six months of age were rndrawn in from both management systems with no history of vaccination. To this effect, a rntotal of811 Frisian and their CTOsses from intensive and 1627 indigenous zebu from extensive rnmanagement system were considered . Furthennore 38 individuals thought to be at risk due 10 rntheir occupational nature, with particular emphasis given to Veterinarians, Animal health rnAssistants. Animal Health Technicians, Anificial Insemination Technicians and Meat rnInspectors were made part of the study. rnSerum samples collected from both animals and humans were screened using Rose Bengal rnPlate Test (RBPT). Positive reactors were further subjected to Complement Fixation Test to rnmaximize specifiry and positive predictive value. rnIn this study, an over all prevalence of 2.46% in intensive and 1.66% in extensive rnmanagement systems has been established .. Among the risk factors investigated (Age, sex, rnherd size and management). only age was found to be associated with the infection (P