Comparison of depopulation and S19-RB51 vaccination strategies for control of bovine brucellosis in high prevalence areas

RB51 vaccination can minimise the diagnostic problems associated with S19 vaccination of adult cattle, but its use for bovine brucellosis (BB) control remains controversial. Here, the evolution of BB prevalence in five high prevalence areas in Spain subjected to different control measures is described: herd depopulation of infected herds (I–III) or mass vaccination with RB51 and S19-RB51 vaccination of replacement heifers (IV–V). Annual data from the eradication campaigns were analysed at the special incidence area (SIA) level and the time to obtain herd prevalence levels of