Stepping up the fight against bovine brucellosis

Abstract

Bovine brucellosis is a disease caused by the bacterium Brucella abortus that leads to reproductive failure in infected cattle and to production losses in affected herds. The organism may also cause potentially serious illness in people who have contact with infected animals or drink unpasteurised, contaminated milk. Control of the disease is therefore essential to protect human health, animal health, food security and farmers’ incomes.