Volume 15, Number 2—February 2009 Reemergence of Human and
Animal Brucellosis, Bulgaria Bulgaria had been free from
brucellosis since 1958, but during 2005–2007, a reemergence of
human and animal disease was recorded. The reemergence of this
zoonosis in the country highlights the importance of maintaining
an active surveillance system for infectious diseases that will
require full cooperation between public health and veterinary
authorities. According to the World Health Organization (1),
brucellosis is one of the most common zoonoses worldwide and is
considered a reemerging infectious disease in many areas of the
world. An estimated 500,000 new human cases occur annually
worldwide (2). In Europe, 1,033 human brucellosis cases were
reported in 2006 (3); data from a passive surveillance system
were based on clinical findings, supported by epidemiologic
criteria, and confirmed by serologic tests. Here we report the
results of a survey performed in Bulgaria during 2005–2007,
which has been considered free from B