Brucellosis is a disease caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella. Found worldwide, it can affect humans, with symptoms including fever, pain, headache and/or weakness. It also affects most mammalian species, domestic and wild ruminants in particular. In animals, brucellosis causes abortion, reduced fertility and reduced milk production, which may in turn induce major economic losses. In addition, animals or herds which have not been certified as brucellosis-free cannot circulate freely between countries. Driven by these major economic implications and to the risk to human health, ANSES is actively involved in brucellosis surveillance and control. Here we provide a presentation of the disease, its current status in France, and the role played by ANSES.

Since 2001, ANSES has actively participated in the surveillance and control of bluetongue disease (BT). Its actions take on various forms. At the request of its supervisory ministries, it regularly produces risk assessments related to this animal disease and issues recommendations on health and medical measures to be adopted. Through the missions of the French Agency for Veterinary Medicinal Products (ANMV), ANSES regulates the marketing of vaccines and helps monitor adverse reactions. Furthermore, the Agency shares the mandate of National Reference Laboratory for bluetongue with the French Centre for Agricultural Research for Development (CIRAD). In this capacity, it works to continuously improve diagnostic tools and knowledge of the disease and provides the French Ministry of Agriculture with scientific and technical support.