One Health cost–benefit analysis of control policies for the prevention of livestock brucellosis in Georgia

Abstract

An economic analysis was performed to assess the cost of brucellosis to households, to the public, and to livestock production in Georgia. The burden of brucellosis on the humanpopulation was estimated from data on morbidity, duration of the disease, treatment as outpatient or inpatient, and lost income. Lost profit in animal production was estimated fromthe effect of abortion and reduced milk yield on gross margins of infected animals. The cost–benefit analysis focused on the net monetary gain associated only with vaccination strategiesfor brucellosis prevention and control. The effectiveness of proposed control measures was compared using spreadsheet models, estimating the number of vaccinated animals in thepopulation over time, and the development of a mathematical model to estimate the number of infected animals over time according to vaccination scenarios.Seven selected scenarios were thoroughly analysed, starting with the projected immunity they confer to the ruminant population, predicted effectiveness in reducing the disease burden, and comparison of costs and benefits and related indicators such as net present value, cost–benefit ratio, and internal rate of return. Recommendations are given.