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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #206226

Title: Economic and Zoonotic Implications of Brucella

Author
item Olsen, Steven
item SAMARTINO, LUIS - INTA, CICVYA, ARGENTINA

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/2009
Publication Date: 10/1/2009
Citation: Olsen, S.C., Samartino, L. 2009. Economic and Zoonotic Implications of Brucella. In: Nene, V., Kole, C., editors. Genome Mapping and Genomics in Animal-Associated Microbes. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer-Verlag. p. 4-7.

Interpretive Summary: Brucellosis, a disease characterized by abortion and fetal losses, remains endemic in domestic livestock in many areas worldwide. Infection of livestock with B. abortus, B. melitensis, or B. suis pose a significant health risk for transmission to humans by direct contact or from consumption of unpasturized milk products. Infection of humans with Brucella causes a wide range of clinical symptoms including the classical syndrome of Aundulant fever@. Reductions in losses in domestic livestock and enhancement of public health provide are generally several fold greater than the financial costs of brucellosis control programs.

Technical Abstract: Brucellosis in domestic livestock remains a significant human health threat in many areas of the world. Humans are primarily infected through contact with infected animals or consumption of non-pasturized dairy products from infected animals. Infection of humans with Brucella causes a wide range of clinical symptoms including the classical syndrome of "undulant fever". The disease in humans is best controlled by reducing prevalence or eradicating brucellosis from domestic livestock. The economic costs associated with brucellosis are extensive and encompass both public health costs and loss of production in domestic livestock. Numerous examples demonstrate that national brucellosis control or eradication programs reduce economic losses to a much greater extent than their cost.