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Sheep and Goats Brucellosis - Epidemiological situation in Campobasso Province, Molise Region, Italy

SCoFCAH meeting May 6, 2014

Regions of Italy officially free frombrucellosis (B. melitensis)

7575PROVINCESPROVINCES

OfficiallyOfficially--FreeFree

CommissionCommission ImplementingImplementing DecisionDecision2014/91/UE 2014/91/UE

ofof 14 14 FebruaryFebruary 20142014

CampobassoCampobassoProvinceProvince

OfficiallyOfficiallyFree Free sincesinceyearyear 20102010

PROVINCESheep & Goats Officially-free flocks Infected flocks

No. ofFlocks Heads No. of

Flocks % No. ofFlocks %

CAMPOBASSO 1756 43093 1753 99,83 3 0,17

ISERNIA 1208 36044 1208 100,00 0 0,00

Total 2964 79137 2961 99,90 3 0,10

Data on Data on yearyear 20132013

Location and timing ofoutbreaks

Outbreak no. 1 - 051CB066 Petacciato

• Testing performed

Samplingdate Species

No. ofsampledanimals

RBT Positive

CFT Positive

16/04/2013 SHEEP 3 2 2

19/02/2013 SHEEP 5 0 0

03/01/2013 SHEEP 5 0 0

26/11/2012 SHEEP 6 1 1

03/10/2012 SHEEP 7 2 0

22/10/2011 SHEEP 8 0 0

18/10/2010 SHEEP 5 0 0

17/11/2009 SHEEP 5 0 0

19/11/2008 SHEEP 5 0 0

Outbreak no. 1 - 051CB066 Petacciato

• No recent introductions (last on 2006)• All animals present in the farm have been

slaughtered after the last control on April 16, 2013

• Outbreak has been closed on July 26, 2013• The attempt of isolation from the two last

positive sheep gave negative results• The origin of the disease remains unknown

Outbreak no. 2 - 043CB055Montefalcone del sannio




RBT Positive

CFT Positive

18/12/2013 S&G 85 0 0

08/11/2013 S&G 88 0 0

05/09/2013 S&G 94 1 1

26/06/2013 S&G 91 1 0

09/06/2012 S&G 68 0 0

29/08/2011 S&G 47 0 0

13/07/2010 S&G 32 0 0

22/06/2009 S&G 30 0 0

11/09/2008 S&G 37 0 0


• A goat was positive only to RBT on June 26, 2013• The goat showed positive CFT in the following testing

done on September 5, 2013• This goat was introduced in farm on December 17,

2012 with regular documentation• Farm of origin (016CB094) checked before and after

this movement with negative results


• After the slaughtering, the attempt of isolation from this positive goat gave negative results

• The two following testing resulted negative• The outbreak was closed on December 31, 2013• Likely FPSR

Outbreak no. 3 – 051CB029Petacciato




RBT Positive

CFT Positive

12/03/2014 SHEEP 8 0 0

30/01/2014 SHEEP 8 0 0

25/10/2013 SHEEP 17 0 0

25/10/2013 GOAT 15 6 6

05/11/2008 SHEEP 28 0 0


• Five of the six positive goats were introduced in the farm without regular documentation

• Two consecutive testing after the removal of infected animals were negative

• However, 18 animals (S&G) were declared by the owner as lost after the first serological control

• The origin of the disease has been identified in irregular movements

• In particular, five out of the six positive goats were declared by the owner as irregularly introduced in the flock on October 2013


• Brucella melitensis biovar 3 was isolated from milk and liver of two goats slaughtered

• Same strain has been isolated from the outbreak no. 4 (010CB060)

• The outbreak is still open

Outbreak no. 4 – 010CB060Campomarino




RBT Positive

CFT Positive

30/10/2013 S&G 232 11 10

06/10/2012 SHEEP 161 0 0

27/02/2012 SHEEP 49 0 0

11/01/2012 SHEEP 122 0 0

13/10/2011 S&G 230 0 0

02/10/2010 S&G 77 0 0

11/09/2009 SHEEP 141 0 0

01/09/2008 S&G 51 0 0

25/01/2008 SHEEP 74 2 2


• Already registered as an outbreak in 2008 and cleared the same year

• After October 2013 (last negative control) animals were introduced with a vehicle belonging to farm 051CB029 (outbreak no. 3)

• However, no regular documentation was found for at least 30 goats present in the farm the day of visit by VS

• The origin of the disease has been therefore identified in irregular movements


• All animals present in the farm have been slaughtered

• The outbreak has therefore been closed on January 13, 2014

• Brucella melitensis biovar 3 isolated from two animals slaughtered

• Same strain isolated from the outbreak no. 3 (051CB029)





RBT Positive

CFT Positive

20/03/2014 S&G 30 0 0

13/01/2014 S&G 34 1 1

08/02/2013 S&G 64 0 0

20/10/2012 S&G 61 0 0

07/10/2011 S&G 39 0 0

29/07/2010 S&G 13 0 0

04/10/2008 S&G 65 29 35


• Already registered as outbreak in 2008 with isolation of Brucella melitensis biovar 3

• The flock is not grazing, no possibility of direct or indirect contact with other cattle or sheep and goat herds

• First control negative after removing of reactor


• No attempt of isolation due to the sudden death of the positive goat (bloating)

• The outbreak is still open. Next control scheduled for May 10, 2014

• Case of brucellosis due to two assumptions: - re-infection (but strain is different)- Irregular movements (positivity was recorded only in a

male, at low titre)

Actions to be taken• To keep the current 100% flocks control policy for 2014 and

2015 (as in last years)• Serological control of all Sheep & goats flocks in the coastal

area within September 30, 2014• Compulsory total slaughtering for infected flocks• Annual documental control in farms at risk• Alert to the Police to increase controls on animal transports in

the area concerned• Awareness campaign to the owners on risks related to

irregular introduction of animals• Mutual agreements with the surrounding non Officially-Free

regions:• Notification of movements from the departing region and

random checks (documentation, serology) at destination

Thank you for your attention

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