Cost-Benefit Analysis of a Mass Vaccination Strategy to Control Brucellosis in Sheep and Goats in Northern Iraq.

Anne Barnes,Ian D Robertson,Ali Al Hamada,Ihab Habib,Mieghan Bruce

doi:10.3390/vaccines9080878

Abstract

Brucellosis is a major economic and production-limiting disease for livestock owners and the community in Iraq. A cost–benefit analysis was conducted to evaluate the impact of an expanded annual mass vaccination programme of sheep and goats that involves all female and male sheep and goats over the age of 3 months with Rev. 1 vaccine. The proposed expanded vaccination programme was compared to the current annual vaccination program, which involved only vaccinating female sheep and goats between the ages of 3 and 6 months of age with Rev. 1. The cost-benefit analysis model was developed utilizing data collected in Dohuk Governorate, northern Iraq. The seroprevalence in small ruminants (using Rose Bengal test and ELISA in series) was predicted to decrease from 9.22% to 0.73% after 20 years of implementing the proposed annual mass vaccination program. The net present value of the mass vaccination program was estimated to be US$ 10,564,828 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): −16,203,454 to 37,049,245), the benefit–cost ratio was estimated to be 4.25 (95% CI: −2.71 to 11.22), and the internal rate of return was 91.38% (95% CI:11.71 to 190.62%). The proposed vaccination strategy was predicted to decrease the overall financial loss caused by brucellosis from 1.75 to 0.55 US$ per adult female animal. The results of this economic analysis highlight the benefit of implementing an annual mass vaccination program of small ruminants with Rev. 1 vaccine to reduce the prevalence of brucellosis in northern Iraq.

Highlights

Brucellosis is a common zoonotic disease in many countries resulting in production losses in livestock and febrile disease in humans [1,2]
The current study was oriented on analysis of the economic losses occurring due to brucellosis in small ruminants in Iraq
This study found that the proposed mass vaccination programme had an net present value (NPV) greater than zero and a benefit–cost ratio (BCR) greater than one, indicating that the programme was economically beneficial

Summary

Introduction

Brucellosis is a common zoonotic disease in many countries resulting in production losses in livestock and febrile disease in humans [1,2]. Control has proved elusive in many countries, where Brucella melitensis, the more pathogenic species for humans and small ruminants (sheep and goats), dominates [3,4]. The economic impact of brucellosis varies depending upon the prevalence and management and husbandry systems adopted, along with the local veterinary and medical services’ expertise, facilities, and capacity [2]. The disease can cause significant economic loss from abortions, neonatal deaths, reduced fertility and decreased milk production [6]. Trade restrictions on livestock and products from infected areas further the impact of the disease on a community [2]

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion