Surveillance of brucellosis in a rural area of Greece: Application of the Computerised Mapping Programme

Long term active surveillance of brucellosis was implemented in a rural are a (Fokida) of Greece from 1989 to 1993 while the rural area of Grevena was selected as a control area. The computerised mapping programme was used to identify and protect the suspected animal brucellosis free zones. Health ed ucation of the inhabitants was further used to teach them how to avoid the risk factors. Three suspected brucellosis free zones were identified and tw o of them were successfully protected. The incidence for the 10 year period (1979-1988) was estimated at 1.4/1000/year for the study area and 1.6/1000 /year for the control area. During the surveillance period the incidence in the study area dropped to 0.2/1000/year while in the control area it decre ased to 1.0/1000/year. The methodology of identification and protection of suspected brucellosis free zones combined with health education proved to b e efficient in reducing the incidence of the disease. The same methodology could be used in the country level, in countries where it is difficult to i mplement and maintain an animal control programme in the whole country.