The Epidemiology of Human and Animal Brucellosis in Algeria

In this review we summarize the published literatures end research paper on human and animal brucellosis in Algeria, to describe the incidence of human brucellosis and the seroprevalence of animal brucellosis in Algeria with special emphasis on epidemiological assessment of the deployed control measures. Comparatively, the number of new human cases reported from Algeria followed a similar trend in animals, highlighting the impact of the animal reservoir on the public health. Human incidence might reflect the true epidemiological situation of brucellosis in animals. The transmission of Brucella infection to humans in Algeria depends largely on the animal reservoir and several factors like food habits, methods of processing milk and milk products, social customs, climatic conditions, socioeconomic status, husbandry practices and environment hygiene. Cattle brucellosis is more prevalent in the north of the country, against the steppes and interior regions were brucellosis is more common among small ruminants. Consumption of milk and raw milk products has been implicated in 85% of human infections. In Algeria, Mass vaccination of all livestock (cattle, sheep and goats) throughout the territory is the most appropriate given the epidemiology of the disease. Therefore the small ruminants Rev 1 vaccination should cover the entire Algerian district and for cattle, the recommended vaccine is the RB51. Collaboration between the department of health and department of veterinary services is important for the control of brucellosis in animals and thereby eliminate transmission to humans. Training of the livestock farmers on the effective implementation of sanitary and hygienic livestock management practice following abortion helps reduce spreading the disease amongst animals as well as to the humans.