Brucellosis trend and effect of domestic livestock vaccination on disease incidence in human

ABSTRACT

Worldwide, brucellosis continues to be an important public health problem primarily in the Mediterranean region. Vaccination of animals is the suitable method for controlling the infection and this must be the first step for elimination of the disease. The present study is an observational study conducted during the year 2007 at Saudi Arabia. The total number of cases included in the study was 32376, which included all confirmed cases of brucellosis in the period from 2000-2006. Cases were obtained from Ministry of Health Infectious Diseases Department Surveillance data base of reportable disease. Data included age, sex, nationality, incidence of the disease, common prevalent species of brucella. The incidence of the disease was 72.1 per 100,000 populations in year 1990. After implementation of animal vaccination the disease incidence decreased to reach less than 17 per 100,000 populations in year 2005 and 2006 and the trend was decreasing. Saudi persons represent most of cases [84.54%] compared to non-Saudi [15.46%] and males were more affected than females. Age category 15-44 was more commonly affected and brucella abortus and melitensis were the most frequent species, The disease was prevalent in regions with raising livestock [Qassin, Hail, Hafer Albatin, Bisha, and Qunfuza]. Age category 15-44 was more commonly affected. Disease trend was rising before animal vaccination. After implementation of domestic animal vaccination, the trend of the disease progressively declined. Brucella abortus and melitensis were the most frequent species