¹Institute of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia; ²Emergency Medicine Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia

Aim. To review key international recommendations and coordination on alert and response mechanisms for prevention and control of animal disease threats, including brucellosis.

Methods. National and international reporting systems for early warning and response of zoonoses outbreaks on animal health and diseases were reviewed.

Results. Brucellosis routine surveillance detection must be undertaken, particularly among high-risk groups (farmers, shepherds, workers in slaughterhouses, butchers, veterinarians, and laboratory personnel). It is mandatory for early case-based reporting by health care providers/laboratory to upper levels of the public health sector and the animal health sector. Early warning of outbreaks and capacity for prediction of its spread to new areas is an essential pre-requisite for the effective containment and control of epidemic animal diseases, including brucellosis. Outbreaks early warning with a known zoonotic potential enables control measures that can prevent human morbidity and mortality. The Global Early Warning and Response System is a joint system that builds on the added value of combining and coordinating the alert and response mechanisms of OIE, FAO and WHO for the international community and stakeholders to assist in prediction, prevention and control of animal disease threats, through sharing of information, epidemiological analysis and joint field missions to assess and control the outbreak.

Conclusion. Early warning and response is based on the concept that dealing with a zoonoses outbreak in its early stages on an intersectoral basis is easier and more economical than having to deal with it once it is widespread.