Surveillance of brucellosis and its prevention and control in Zhejiang

Objective To understand the epidemic situation of brucellosis in Zhejiang province and provide evidence for the prevention and control of brucellosis in Zhejiang and in southern China. Method Rose-Bengal plate agglutination test(RBPT) and standard tube agglutination test(SAT) were conducted to detect the serum samples collected from risk populations engaged in livestock trade, slaughter, cultivation and milking, related product processing and marine life catching in Zhejiang. Results Totally 7565 people from 12 areas were surveyed in 2011, in which 125 were sero-positive(1.65%),57 were diagnosed with brucellosis and 68 were bacteria carriers. The annual incidence was 0.12/lakh. The cases and bacteria carriers increased by 90% and 7.9% respectively compared with 2010. In 2011, one outbreak occurred and the cases number was highest. The epidemic was mainly associated with the importation of sick cattle/sheep and mutton products from other provinces. Some laboratory workers in hospital contracted the disease due to exposure to patients blood samples. No brucella infection was detected in people raising local sheep. Conclusion It is important to promote local livestock raising, strengthen the livestock quarantine and management during transportation, improve the education and protection of occupational population, strengthen the disease surveillance and conduct the training on brucellosis diagnosis and treatment to control the spread of brucellosis.