Mass vaccination as a complementary tool in the control of a severe outbreak of Bovine Brucellosis due to Brucella abortus in Extremadura, Spain
Investigation article published in Preventive Veterinary Medicine
November 1st, 2010
We report the evolution of an outbreak of bovine brucellosis (Brucella abortus) in the region of Extremadura (Spain) involving more than 1000 herds and nearly 40000 animals. S19 vaccination of young cattle combined with a test and slaughter strategy did not result in a rapid decrease in herd prevalence and animal incidence; these parameters showed a constant decreasing trend only when a combination of restriction of cattle movements, increased test frequency,S19 vaccination and mass RB51 vaccination (with yearly revaccinations) were applied to all susceptible populations. These measures were applied for five years; abortions following RB51 vaccination of pregnant cows were limited to the first inoculation and the involvement of the vaccine strain could only be demonstrated in 78 out of 897 abortions. Our results demonstrate the usefulness - and lack of significant side effects - of RB51 mass vaccination as a complementary tool to control bovine brucellosis outbreaks in areas where the disease cannot be contained using more conservative approaches
Sanz C., Saez-Llorente JL., Alvarez J., Cortes M., Pereira G., Reyes A., Rubio F., Martin J., Garcia N., Dominguez L., Hermoso-de-Mendoza M. and Hermoso-de-Mendoza J.
 | Servicio de Zoonosis Emergentes, de Baja Prevalencia y Agresivos Biológicos (NED). Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria (VISAVET). Universidad Complutense (UCM). |
| Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad Complutense (UCM). |
| Servicio de Sanidad Animal. Consejería de Agricultura, Desarrollo Rural, Medio Ambiente y Energía. Gobierno de Extremadura (GOBEX). | |
 | Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC). Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC). Universidad de Castilla La Mancha (UCLM). Gobierno de Castilla-La Mancha (JCCM). |
 | Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad de Extremadura (UNEX). |
