Summary Brucellosis is an endemic anthropozoonotic disease in most Middle East countries including Iraq. It causes considerable loss of economy and energy, particularly in the rural areas. Since 1966 when the prevalence of brucella agglutinin from slaughtered sheep and goat was reported in Baghdad, several trials have been conducted including serological studies of brucellosis in the northern provinces of Iraq (Nainava, Duhok, Erbil, Kirkuk and Sulaimani). Humans, sheep, goats, cattle and buffalo have been involved. The studies also included isolation and identification of Brucella species, including B. abortus, B. melitensis and B. ovis. Local veterinary authorities, international organizations, universities and some NGOs have been involved. Moreover, limited efforts have been reported concerning the control and eradication of the disease among goats and sheep in some restricted areas. A limited vaccination program for newborn lambs and kids also has been conducted by the FAO, which was involved in the veterinary emergency plan for brucellosis in 2000. Northern provinces share an extensive border with Iran, Turkey and Syria, in addition to the direct and intimate contacts with other provinces of Iraq, which share borders with Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Hence any strategic planning for the control or eradication of this devastating anthropozoonotic disease in the country should be implemented regionally and not locally.

In spite of the devastating effect of tuberculosis in man arid animals, studies regarding bovine tuberculosis have not been done. in the Sulaimani districts so far, the aim of the present study was to investigate for the first time, the prevalence of tuberculosis in cattle in the Sulaimani districts" The study was carried out among five groups of bovine (the pregnant cattle at last two months of gestation, recentiy parturient cattle (two months after parflrition), under six months age calves, calves of six months to two years old heif'ers and cattle above h+,o ],ears old (but not belonging to the first and second groups), from June to December 2000. The study includes the field observation, using the single intradermal comparative tuberculin test (SIDT) which involved (4012) cattle from different Sulaimani dishiets (Sulaimani center, Halabja, Penjwen, Rania, Chamchamal, Darbandikhan). The field observation has shown it (5.1%) positive reactors to (SIDT). The results have revealed highest positive rate in Halabja district, where the rate was (9%) and lowest rate in Darbandikhan. where the rate was (1.5%), while different prevalence were detected (3.59L, 4%, 53% and 6%) in Chamchamal. Penjwen, Sulaimani center and Rania respectively. The prevalence rate was also high (6.1%) in a group of cattle that were classified at a stage of two months after delivery (two months from parturition) and no incidence was detected in a group of calves under six months of age. Out of 207 SIDT positive reactor cattle, (117) sputum samples were examined by direct smear with Zihle - Neelsen stain, positive result was 37 (31.7%) only The samples were also cultured on Modified Lowenstein- Jensen media, which showed 45 (38.5%) positive growth. This study included also the abattoir observation, by routine meat inspection of 7375 carcasses that have been slaughtered in Sulaimani abattoir, the result revealed 65 {A.9%) positive carcasses that showed typical lesions of tuberculosis. The samples from the lesions were submitted to the microbiological and histopathological examinations that confirmed the preliminary diagnosis. The photos are also shown.

The heads of 2897 sheep, 1006 goats, and 1827 cattle from the local abattoir (Sulaimani-Kurdistan-Iraq were examined for larvae of  Oestrus ovis in January to December 1999. The larvae were diagnosed morphologically under a dissecting microscope, and were measured and preserved in 10% formal saline. The prevalence of 0.ovis in sheep was 20.96% and in goats was 13.6 per cent. The monthly infestation rate for sheep varied from 5.06% in March to 56.12% in September, but in goats varied from 2% in February to 66.6% in March. Up to 13 and 6 larvae were collected from individual sheep and goats consecutively. The mean larval burden per sheep and goat positive case over the year was 1.98 and 1.40 respectively. Different size and color of 0.ovis larvae per single animal were observed throughout the year, which might be due to the presence of more than one generation of 0.ovis adult fly in the region or due to rotation of animals in different areas or pastures during transportation and marketing. 0.ovis larvae were present in sheep and goats 12 and 10 months successively per year. In the present study 0.ovis larvae were not found in the heads of cattle. Since this parasite is produce one of the important anthropozoonotic diseases which effects both man and animals, surveillance and monitoring of larval infection have been recommended in order to establish seasonal incidence of  0. ovis infestation and predicting it's outbreaks in the region, to protect man and animals.

A preliminary investigation on the prevalence of Brucella agglutinins among farmers and animals was carried out during a 6 months period (Feb - July / 1995). 2131 blood samples were collected from man and animals, including goats, sheep and only 4 cattle. Sera were separated for both card and tube agglutination test. Out of 215 human serum samples 118(54.8%) and 85 (39.53%) were positie by card test and tube agglutination test respectively, 520 (27.13%) and 374 (19.51%) positive serum by above tests were shown respectively from a total of 1916 animal sera. The economical and public health hazards of brucellosis are highlighted, the essential investigation and further studies for a control program and eradication of this disease are also discussed.

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