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Brucellosis Trend and Effect of Domestic Livestock Vaccination on
Disease Incidence in Human
Abdelaziz Eldeib
Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine Department, Faculty of
Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt.
Tanta Med. Sc. J 2008; 3(1):7-13
Article type: Original article
Background/Aim: 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. Subject & Methods: 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. Results: 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). Conclusion: 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. |