Brucellosis (both ovine and caprine) continues to be a major public and animal health problem in the Mediterranean as well as in Balkan countries such as Albania, Greece and Turkey (Macedonia). Data from health authorities have now shown that brucellosis is a serious public and animal health problem in Kosovo. Human brucellosis incidence is 1/100 000; however, the disease is underreported in humans due to difficulties in the clinical diagnosis.
A survey in sheep, goats and cattle was carried out in March 2001 under the project OSRO/KOS/908/USA. A prevalence of 5.9 percent in sheep and goats and 0.45 percent in cattle was found. Sera were screened with the Rose Bengale Test and confirmed with C-ELISA at the FAO/WHO Collaborating Centre, Weybridge, UK. No previous vaccination control had been carried out. Due to the limited time available it was decided to vaccinate sheep and goats with Rev 1 vaccine in the municipalities with the highest prevalence. The monitoring activities of the vaccination campaign will be followed up by the Animal Production and Health Division of FAO. Funds to support long-term control are needed and coordinated actions should be developed with neighbouring countries to control brucellosis in animals and humans.