Türkiye has taken a major step in combating brucellosis, a disease affecting both humans and animals, by hosting a national workshop from 26 to 28 November at the Pendik Veterinary Control Institute in Istanbul. The event brought together experts from animal and public health sectors to jointly assess Türkiye’s capacities for brucellosis control, emphasizing a One Health approach that integrates human, animal, and environmental health perspectives.
The workshop marked the official launch in Türkiye of the Staged Tool for the Elimination of Brucellosis (STEB), developed by the FAO and the US CDC. The STEB provides a structured method for evaluating brucellosis situations and planning step-by-step strategies for prevention and elimination. Türkiye’s adoption of STEB follows similar regional efforts in Central Asia and the Caucasus, reflecting a growing commitment to coordinated zoonotic disease control.
Participants included representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Health, and reference laboratories, with more than 20 professionals reviewing Türkiye’s brucellosis control capacities across governance, surveillance, laboratory capacity, prevention and control, and communication. The workshop highlighted the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration, with input from farms, laboratories, hospitals, and government authorities.
The STEB assessment identified strengths, such as Türkiye’s longstanding vaccination program and laboratory diagnostics, as well as areas needing improvement. Based on the findings, the participants drafted a preliminary roadmap outlining short-, medium-, and long-term priorities to enhance nationwide brucellosis control and intersectoral coordination.
The workshop is part of a broader FAO-led initiative to strengthen brucellosis control in Türkiye. Upcoming activities include field-level surveys to identify risk factors, training programs for veterinarians and farmers, development of educational outreach materials, and testing the Outbreak Costing Tool (OutCosT) to estimate economic impacts. Support will also be provided for reviewing national legislation and improving One Health coordination mechanisms.
Türkiye’s proactive approach demonstrates a clear understanding that controlling zoonotic diseases requires sustained, coordinated strategies. With the continued engagement of national authorities and international partners, the country is positioned to enhance its brucellosis control program, safeguard public health, and protect rural livelihoods.
