Brucellosis in India: results of a collaborative workshop to define one health priorities

Authors: LINDAHL, JOHANNA - International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) - Kenya; VRENTAS, CATHERINE - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA); HAZARIKA, R - Assam Agricultural University; RAHMAN, H - Collaborator; BAMBAL, R - Government Of India; BHATTACHYA, C - Government Of India; BEDI, JASBIR - Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University; CHADUHURI, PALLAB - Indian Veterinary Research Institute; FAIROZE, NADEEM - Collaborator; GILL, JPS - Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University; KHAN, I - Collaborator; KUMAR, M - Collaborator; RAHI, M - Indian Council Of Medical Research (ICMR); SHARMA, P - Collaborator; SHOME, R - Collaborator; SIKKA, ALOK - International Water Management Institute; SINGH, R - Collaborator; SRINIVAS, K - Indian Immunologicals Limited; SWAIN, BRAJA - Collaborator

Submitted to: Tropical Animal Health and Production
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/24/2019
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: This manuscript summarizes the group conclusions of a collaborative meeting on brucellosis, a potentially debilitating disease that affects both humans and livestock, hosted in India in 2017 by the International Livestock Research Institutes. Experts from academia, government, and international organizations developed a list of group priorities for the control of brucellosis in India, including development of improved diagnostic capabilities, addressing research gaps, and tackling the challenge of addressing currently infected cattle, due to the ban on slaughter of cattle in most regions of India. Potential solutions discussed included the provision of government funding for livestock vaccination campaigns and the development of a series of sanctuaries for brucellosis-infected cattle. Additionally, current statistics on the prevalence of antibodies to the Brucella bacterium in both humans exposed in their employment and livestock in different regions of India are reviewed. Overall, international collaboration is important in the reduction of diseases like brucellosis.

Technical Abstract: Brucellosis is an important zoonosis worldwide. In livestock it frequently causes chronic disease with reproductive failures that contribute to production losses, and in human it causes a chronic febrile illness that is often underdiagnosed in many low and middle-income countries. India has one of the largest ruminant populations in the world, and brucellosis is endemic with one study reporting a cattle herd prevalence above 60%; similarly, in humans, studies indicate 25% seroprevalence in some risk group populations. In November 2017, the International Livestock Research Institute invited experts from government, national research institutes, universities and different international organizations to a one-day meeting to set priorities towards a OneHealth control strategy for brucellosis in India. Using a risk prioritization exercise followed by discussions, the meeting agreed on the following priorities: Collaboration- transboundary and transdisciplinary; More epidemiological evidence- in humans, cattle and in small ruminants, which has been neglected; Economic impact studies- including cost effectiveness of control programs; Livestock vaccination- including national facilities for securing vaccines to the cattle population; Management of infected animals- with the ban on slaughter, alternatives such as sanctuaries must be explored; Laboratory capacities and diagnostics- quality parameters must be met and better rapid tests developed; and Increased awareness- making farmers, health workers and the general public more aware of risks of brucellosis and zoonoses in general. In conclusion, the meeting agreed that Brucella control will be challenging in India, but with collaboration and action on the priority areas listed above, it could be possible.