Human Brucellosis as an Epidemic Zoonosis in Zenica-Doboj Canton (Bosnia and Herzegovina) During 2008-2018

Brucellosis is associated with people living in close proximity to their animals, where conditions for disease onset and spread exist. An epidemic of brucellosis in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) has persisted since 2004. Zenica-Doboj Canton is one of the most affected areas.

To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of human brucellosis from the year 2008 to2018.

Data collected from paper-based patients/cases reported to the Epidemiology Department were analyzed.

After 2008, the annual number of patients diagnosed with brucellosis was decreasing, except in 2017 and 2018 with 20 and 35 cases, respectively. Within the 2008-2018 period, a total of 263 human brucellosis cases were recorded, decreasing from 102 (incidence of 44.7/100,000) cases in 2008 to three cases in 2012, but increased to 35 cases in 2018. Males were predominant, with a total of 205 (77.9%) cases. The mean age of the affected patients was 39.2 years; but the most affected age group was the 25-49 years age group with 117 (44.5%) cases. Most cases (151 cases, 66%) were reported during the period of March-July, and 242 (92%) cases were from the rural areas.

With the implementation of the small ruminant vaccination program in 2009, the number of infected humans had declined, while brucellosis still remains.