BRUCELLOSIS, THE MOST COMMON ZOONOTIC DISEASE IN SOUTHERN ALBANIA

Brucellosis is a contagious disease caused by microorganisms of Brucella gender that are transmitted from infected animals to human. The way of transmission is by direct contact with secretions or tissues of infected animals, or indirectly by consuming unpasteurized products of these animals . Responsible for causing disease in humans is Brucella melitensis, coccobacillus motionless, gram negative. Laboratory diagnosis in Gjirokaster district is determined by the agglutination reaction (test WRIGHT), which gives positive results at the beginning of the disease (in the days 3-5). The data were collected during the period January 2004 - January 2005. 1423 people were presented for screening, of whom 373 resulted positive for infection by Brucella melitensis. The infected individuals were 202 males and 171 females. The highest frequency of infection was in the active part of population, 25-60 years old ( 226 individuals ). Month of the year with the highest number of people infected is July (58 individuals). Brucellosis takes the first place of the zoonotics diseases in Gjirokastra districs, so is necessary a close collaboration between veterinary and health institutions. Improving sanitary conditions of labor in rural areas, controls continued eradication of infection in animals, enhance care during the cooking of animal origin food products.