Control and eradication strategies for brucella melitensis infection in sheep and goats

摘要

Aim: To describe the various strategies for the control and eradicationof B. melitensis infection in sheep and goats.Methods: The advantages and drawbacks of these strategies are discussed onthe basis of the author’s personal experience and a revision of the relevant literature.Results: Vaccination programmes in various combinations can be applied eitherto decrease the prevalence of infection in the animal population or, when combinedwith adequate complementary eradication measures, to achieve a brucellosis-free status.Conclusion: Controlling the disease should be the primary goal of the veterinaryservices involved. However, eradication should be the final objective of any controlprogramme implemented. The selection of an eradication or control strategy is ofparamount relevance, and a frequent cause of controversy among decision-makers. Thefinal strategy should be established according to the quality of the veterinary servicesorganisation, the economic resources available and the extent and prevalence of disease.Cooperation with farmers is essential to succeed with the application of even the mostelementary control programme. When brucellosis is highly prevalent, mass (wholeflock)vaccination is the choice to control the disease, independently of the socioeconomicsituation. Once effective control of the disease has been accomplished, its eradicationis feasible. For successful eradication, the adequate quality and organisation of veterinaryservices, the strict control of animal movements and the provision of adequateeconomic compensation to affected farmers are compulsory. When the disease is fullyeradicated, a surveillance strategy has to be implemented for the early detection of eventualnew outbreaks or disease reintroduction