Brucellosis is a major public health problem, and the disease is the world’s most widespread zoonosis. It is ranked by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the seven most neglected diseases. In Jordan, there is not enough data regarding the epidemiological profile of brucellosis in the country.

To address this gap, EMPHNET, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Ministry of Health (MoH), and the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) launched a project through which active laboratory-based surveillance in three governorates in Jordan: East Amman, Karak, and Mafraq will be performed. The outcome of this project will be an improved understanding of the disease burden, mechanism of transmission between animals and humans, and its major risk factors.

Funded by the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), this project is the first to show the implementation of the One health approach through the bridging of animal and public health services.

The official launching ceremony of the project took place on November 12, 2018, at the Landmark Hotel in Amman, Jordan. The ceremony was presided by the MoH Secretary General Dr. Hikmat Abu Al Ful, Chief of Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch at the CDC Dr. Henry Walke, Head of Veterinary Directorate at the MoA Dr. Ahmad Hanatleh, Dr. Ahmad Khawaldeh from the Royal Medical Services (RMS), and Executive Director of EMPHNET Dr. Mohannad Al-Nsour. Representatives from the MoH, MoA, RMS, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), the CDC, and EMPHNET also attended.

Dr. Al-Nsour said: "This project aims at enhancing monitoring and laboratory diagnosis of brucellosis through the introduction of new laboratory tests such as ELISA, PCR, Rose Bengal, and Fluorescent Polarization Assay (FPA). This will involve training of laboratory technicians to provide the required equipment for the required tests."

From his end, Dr. Abu Al Ful said that brucellosis is a disease that has both a health and economic burden on the country, and that this project will support human and animal health collaboration towards enhanced surveillance of the disease.

Dr. Mahmoud Al-Hanatla, Director of the Veterinary Department at the MoA, added that this project will support veterinarians in their efforts of surveillance and diagnosis of brucellosis.

From his end, Dr. Walke said that the CDC will provide the support and expertise for the project, including the preparation of study protocols and guidelines for the data collection.

From the Royal Medical Services, Dr. Ahmad Al-Khawaldeh stressed the importance of cooperation between the various stakeholders to control brucellosis and also commended the efforts exerted by all stakeholders in this regard.

Afterwards presentations were given by the CDC and EMPHNET on brucellosis and the details of the project.

The project is designed to determine the true incidence of brucellosis in people seeking medical care in public (Ministry of Health and Royal Military Services) health facilities in East Amman, Mafraq and Karak; the disease status of animals directly linked to confirmed human brucellosis cases; incidence of brucellosis among animal herds affected by abortion/infertility based on serological and molecular testing; major risk factors driving infections in animals and humans.

Furthermore, the project will describe the geographic distribution of brucellosis and explore spatiotemporal associations in the distribution of disease and different Brucella species and genotypes causing disease in animals and humans.

An open discussion followed with members of the audience.

Shortly, EMPHNET in coordination with all officials and decision makers will conduct the Brucella launching meeting to discuss the new project activities. The main objectives of the meeting are to obtain consensus on the project; commitment to plan and coordinate efforts and resources, start on implementing the project activities and to discuss and agree on procedures and operational plan.