TREATMENT AND CONTROL MEASURES FOR BOVINE BRUCELLOSIS IN PUBLIC HEALTH

Abstract

Bovine brucellosis is a chronic infectious and zoonotic disease with high prevalence in herds from low and middle-income countries. In these locations, epidemiological and sanitary surveillance is often insufficient to contain high-volume production systems. The etiological agent is the Gram-negative bacterium of the genus Brucella, specifically Brucella abortus, which has tropism for reproductive tissues (Djibril et al., 2024). Infected animals present clinical signs such as placental retention, abortions, stillbirths, and reduction in milk production (Tulu, 2022). From the point of view of public health, it is a relevant occupational zoonosis, exposing veterinarians and workers in the meat chain to infection through contact with secretions or inhalation of aerosols (Rahman et al., 2024). Furthermore, consumption of unpasteurized milk and derivatives contaminates consumers, manifesting clinically as fever, sweating, and myalgia (Djibril et al., 2024). This study presents a narrative review based on 29 works published between 1984 and 2023. Considering that the disease has no curative treatment in animals, control is based on prevention and sanitary slaughter of positive animals. Preventive strategies include vaccination of females, regular serological testing, and rigorous biosecurity, such as the use of personal protective equipment and quarantine (Tulu, 2022; Rahman et al., 2025). We conclude that the One Health approach is necessary, integrating sanitary surveillance with human and animal health for disease eradication (Tian et al., 2024).