Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences
DOI
10.3906/vet-1408-27
Abstract
Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, in the northeastern region of Portugal, previously exhibited the highest brucellosis prevalence in the entire small ruminant population of Portugal. Consequently, a vaccination program of the whole population with Brucella melitensis Rev-1 was carried out from 2001 to 2004, and further compulsory Rev-1 vaccination of 3- to 6-month-old lambs and kids was carried out between 2005 and 2007. The prevalence of brucellosis decreased by 71.42% in 2004, with a 2-fold decrease occurring from 2005 to 2007. The reduction of brucellosis prevalence was statistically significant (P < 0.001) according to flock size. By species, brucellosis prevalence decreased 14.5-fold in sheep and 5.5-fold in goats in 2004. Regarding flock constitution, it decreased by 77% for pure flocks and 73% in mixed flocks in 2004. Regarding the animals involved in production, brucellosis prevalence decreased during the 7-year period. It was concluded that Rev-1 vaccination of the whole population was effective in decreasing brucellosis prevalence. These results contribute to the scarce information available regarding the effect of Rev-1 vaccination on different characteristics of flocks. They may be used to improve the efficiency of brucellosis eradication programs within livestock management.
First Page
261
Last Page
270
Recommended Citation
COELHO, ADOSINDA MARIA; PINTO, MARIA DE LURDES; DIEZ, JUAN GARCIA; and COELHO, ANA CLAUDIA
(2015)
"Impact of B. melitensis Rev-1 vaccination on brucellosis prevalence,"
Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences: Vol. 39:
No.
3, Article 3.
https://doi.org/10.3906/vet-1408-27
Available at:
https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/veterinary/vol39/iss3/3