Economic Burden of Brucellosis in South Africa (1990–2025): A Longitudinal Economic Burden Analysis

Brucellosis remains a persistent zoonotic disease with significant economic implications for livestock systems and a public health threat, particularly in developing countries. In South Africa, however, limited longitudinal evidence exists on its long-term economic impact. This study addresses this gap by estimating the economic burden of brucellosis over a 35-year period (1990–2025) using secondary surveillance and economic data. Descriptive statistics, mean comparison tests, and logistic regression were employed to examine temporal trends, spatial patterns, and the drivers of high-impact events. The analysis indicates a cumulative economic loss of approximately R906.4 million, with an average annual loss of R25.9 million. Productivity losses constitute the largest share of total costs, exceeding direct animal losses, showing that disease control is not only a veterinary concern but also a sustainability issue affecting production efficiency, household income and food security. The burden is highly concentrated spatially, with North West and Mpumalanga provinces accounting for more than half of total losses. Although annual economic impacts have declined over time, the probability of high-impact events remains significant and is primarily driven by case intensity, spatial factors and temporal dynamics rather than seasonality alone. The findings support risk-based disease control strategies that combine targeted interventions in high-burden areas, stronger surveillance in vulnerable regions, early-warning systems and farmer-centered biosecurity. The study provides policy-relevant evidence for more sustainable brucellosis control in South Africa and comparable livestock-dependent economies.