Brucellosis in Saudi Arabia: Review of Literature and an Alarming Case Report in a Hospital in Jeddah
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- Category: Vol. 77, December 2009
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Brucellosis in Saudi Arabia: Review of Literature and an Alarming Case Report in a Hospital in Jeddah, HANI ABD EL-AZIZ JOKHDAR
Abstract
Brucellosis remains one of the world’s principal zoonostic infections that constitute a major public health problem and economic burden in many parts of the world, in particular, Saudi Arabia. Many factors have been implicated in the transmission of Brucellosis and its prevalence in Saudi Arabia, such as the social customs, dietary habits of its people, uncontrolled importation of poorly screened animals, lack of legislation for proper control of the marketing and movement of animals, husbandry practices, poor animal quarantine procedures and poor cooperation and exchange of information between veterinary and health services. The growing population of Saudi Arabia with its increased demand for dairy products accompanied with changing and intensified farming practices raises the concern for further spread and perpetuation of this disease. The eradication of human brucellosis in Saudi Arabia will ultimately depend on the eradication of animal brucellosis. An effective national brucellosis control programme is there-fore required.
This paper describes the history of brucellosis and the current public health picture in Saudi Arabia. It aims to highlight the current epidemiological situation, identify trends and possible risk factors for Brucellosis and barriers to its control and prevention in Saudi Arabia. A current case report of brucellosis was given.