Brucellosis is a contagious disease of animals caused by various bacteria of the family Brucella, which also can spread from animals to people. Elimination of brucellosis in animals contributes prevention of infection in humans, increased animal productivity and better opportunities for trade of animas and animal products.
Many years of intensive testing to detect Brucella positive animals, followed by their removal from affected herds, animal movement restrictions to prevent disease spread, vaccination to protect against the disease, disinfection to eliminate the Brucella from contaminated environment, etc., contributed to the elimination of Brucella in cattle, ovine and caprine herds in major part of the EU.
Currently, 21 EU country have achieved disease-free status from infection with Brucella abortus, B. melitensis and B. suis in bovines and 20 EU countries have achieved this status in ovine and caprine populations. 3 EU countries have achieved disease-free status from infection with Brucella abortus, B. melitensis and B. suis, in bovine and same number in ovine and caprine herds in part of their territory. It remains a priority to reduce the brucellosis prevalence and, eventually, eliminate the disease in bovine, ovine and caprine populations across the EU.
In 2023, the Commission has awarded €4.6 million to two EU countries to aid in reducing the prevalence and incidence of brucellosis in bovine herds and in sheep and goats.