Brucellosis Management in Dairy Cattle Farms: Reviewing Programs and Addressing Challenges in Iranian Dairy Cattle Farms

Abstract

Brucellosis, a zoonotic infection caused by Brucella species, remains a significant public health issue, affecting both animal and human health and the economy globally. This review focuses on brucellosis in dairy cattle farms in Iran, examining its prevalence, distribution, and control strategies. A systematic review of studies from databases like PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar found that Brucella abortus biovar 3 and B. melitensis biovar 1 are the main strains in Iranian dairy cattle. The seroprevalence ranges from 3.94 to 19.8%, with B. abortus biovar 3 notably prevalent. Since 1967, Iran's control strategies have included mass vaccination with the RB51 vaccine, testing, culling, and movement control. However, challenges such as vaccine efficacy, especially against B. melitensis, and difficulties in rural implementation persist. The findings underscore the complexity of controlling brucellosis in Iran due to regional variability in disease prevalence and the challenges associated with vaccine efficacy and implementation. The current control strategies face significant barriers, particularly in rural and traditional farming systems. Therefore, there is a need for more targeted interventions, including improved diagnostic methods, enhanced farmer education, and better implementation of quarantine measures.