Abstract:
Brucellosis is an endemic zoonotic disease responsible for enormous losses in animal
industry and public health in Algeria. Therefore, designing a control/eradication policy adjusted
to epidemiological and socioeconomic conditions appeared to be a requisite. In this context, the
present PhD project aimed to simulate different control strategies over 20 years in order to
predict the optimum approach to eradicate the brucellosis in small ruminant in El Oued district.
Therefore, a cross sectional study was carried out among small ruminant flocks to determine
the herd and individual true prevalence. Six hundred and twelve (612) sera samples were
screened for anti-Brucella spp. antibodies using Rose Bengal test (RBT), and indirect enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) in parallel and complement fixation test (CFT) for
confirmation. Afterward, a deterministic mathematical model of the dynamic spread of
brucellosis in small ruminant using compartmental model and a deterministic simulation agentbased-model (ABM) of different control strategies were developed. Indispensable data in
relation to Brucella melitensis, characteristics of animal population in the study area,
vaccination, and the performance of serological tests were collected meticulously. True herd
prevalence was 27.95% (95% CI: 17.18–42.01) and true individual prevalence was 3.98% (95%
CI: 2.51–6.03). Sampling of 50% of adults to be culled and slaughtered after positive reaction
to RBT and CFT used in serial testing revealed to be the optimum strategy to eradicate the
disease for about 18-19 years in the study area. Combining vaccination of young animals may
enhance slightly the effectiveness of the eradication policy, but would not be cost-effective for
a long-term program. Based on our findings, the adoption of test-and- slaughter strategy in order
to eliminate the disease in El Oued district is strongly advised. However, cooperation and
willingness of all stakeholders is vital for the adopted program to be effective and fruitful.
Similar studies in distinct ecological areas and unified epidemiological conditions are highly
recommended to draw up an optimal control/eradication plan.
