Cost-Benefit Analysis of the Small Ruminants Vaccination Program Against Brucellosis (B. melitensis) in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Brucella melitensis has posed significant public health and economic challenges in Bosnia and Herzegovina since its detection in 1985. This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of two control strategies for brucellosis in small ruminants: vaccination using the Rev 1 vaccine and a test-and-slaughter approach, over an 8-year period (2009–2016). An integrated epidemiological (susceptible-infected-recovered model) and economic model were applied to assess their impacts on animal and human health under the One Health framework. The vaccination strategy achieved a 95% reduction in outbreaks and 98% in animal cases, while human cases declined by 91%. Vaccination required 75% less funding than the test-and-slaughter strategy, with a total cost of €5 million (discounted) compared to €20 million for test-and-slaughter. However, test-and-slaughter resulted in a faster prevalence reduction, achieving 0.2% infected herds compared to 1.3% under vaccination. Economic evaluation revealed a net present value of €28.9 million for vaccination and €45.5 million for test-and-slaughter. The vaccination strategy had a higher benefit-cost ratio of 6.72 compared to 3.26 for test-and-slaughter. Additionally, vaccination demonstrated greater cost-effectiveness at €328 per disability-adjusted life year averted, making it preferable in resource-constrained contexts. (Blasco, J. M. (2006) Despite its advantages, vaccination alone cannot reduce prevalence below 1% at the herd level. (Seleem, M. N., Boyle, S. M., & Sriranganathan, N. (2010) Achieving eradication will require enhanced veterinary services and potentially integrating test-and-slaughter measures. This study underscores the importance of intersectoral collaboration and One Health principles in zoonotic disease management, providing actionable insights for policymakers to optimize resource allocation and achieve sustainable control outcomes.

Cite this article as: Hadžović, D., Fejzić, N., Šerić-Haračić, S., van Asseldonk, M., & Bergevoet, R.H.M. (2025). Cost-benefit analysis of the small ruminants vaccination program against brucellosis (B. melitensis) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Acta Veterinaria Eurasia, 51, 0082, doi: 10.5152/actavet.2025.24082.