The control of animal brucellosis in Malta

Abstract

Little publicity has so far been given to the work done in Malta in recent years towards the control of animal brucellosis, especially brucellosis in goats. This article describes work carried out between September 1956, and April 1968 at the Brucellosis Laboratory, Government Farm, Ghammieri, and on farms in Malta and Gozo. It is based on a report about to be submitted to the Government of Malta by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. This organisation has done much to assist the work, especially in the last four years. During the course of this work the incidence of human brucellosis in Malta showed a marked and constant decline and it is considered that some of this decline must have resulted from the measures taken to control caprine brucellosis. The F.A.O. report contains a number of recommendations which it is hoped will help to bring the campaign for the eradication of brucellosis from Malta to a successful conclusion. The achievement of this objective would be a considerable event in Malta's history.