Epidemiological surveillance and control of brucellosis in ruminants: the example of the region comprising North Africa and the Near East

The author reviews the general principles and different strategies recommen ded for the epidemiological surveillance and control of brucellosis in catt le and small ruminants, with particular reference to the region of North Af rica and the Near East. Three strategic options are proposed, the choice of which depends on the real prevalence of the disease, the socio-economic co ntext, the state of advancement of the animal health surveillance system an d the policy set by the competent authorities. In heavily infected countrie s, gradual changeover is recommended from strategy A (systematic vaccinatio n) to strategy B (selective vaccination), and eventually to strategy C (con trol measures), concurrent with the establishment of an adequate veterinary infrastructure, in particular for epidemiological surveillance and the con trol of animal movements. The author stresses the relevance for the majority of countries in the regi on in question of implementing the guidelines drawn up by the Food and Agri culture Organization, the World Health Organization and the Office Internat ional des Epizooties to control brucellosis in the Middle East.