Brucellosis : Need of Public Health Intervention in Rural India

Aim: To present the epidemiology of brucellosis and to assess and suggest public health intervention strategies to control brucellosis in rural India. Methods: The paper is based on a review of various serological and other studies and evidence on brucellosis in India. Results: Brucellosis is present in all livestock systems. Although the true incidence for human brucellosis is not available, various state specific studies and extrapolated incidence (321 cases annually) have shown that it is a serious disease present in the population. The studies also show that there is a conducive condition and environment for wide-spread human infection on account of unhygienic conditions and poverty in rural areas which need public health attention and intervention. Conclusion: The paper suggests that brucellosis needs to be included in public health education and public awareness programmes, particularly in the rural areas of India. It also suggests promoting safe livestock practices, active co-operation between health and veterinary services and a paradigm shift from the current ‘biomedical model’ to a ‘sociocultural model’ for the elimination of brucellosis in India