Surveillance for brucella infection in population at risk in the 13th division of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps

Objective To understand the brucella infection status in populations at risk in the 13th division of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps and provide evidence for the prevention and control of human brucellosis. Methods The survey was conducted in herdsmen,farmers,veterinarians,butchers and the owners of barbecue stalls by means of rose bengal plate agglutination test and tube agglutination test. The survey of their awareness of brucellosis related knowledge and their self-protection were conducted too. Results A total of 1 988 persons were surveyed,in whom 51 were found to be infected with brucella,the infection rate was 2.57%. The infection rate was highest in butchers and the owners of barbecue stalls(7.94%), followed by that in veterinarians(6.45%). The infection rate in Uygur was 4.08%,higher than that in Kazakh(2.83%). The overall awareness of knowledge about brucellosis was low. Conclusion Butchers and the owners of barbecue stalls as well as people in minor ethnic group are the key populations in the prevention and control of brucella infection.