Spatiotemporal Variation of Bovine Brucellosis (Brucella abortus) in Ecuador: A Retrospective Analysis From 2016 to 2023

Background: Bovine brucellosis is a zoonotic disease of global significance due to its impact on public health and the economy, particularly in developing countries across Latin America, Africa, and Asia, where control and eradication programs are often ineffective. Objectives: This study analysed the prevalence of bovine brucellosis (Brucella abortus) in Ecuador between 2016 and 2023. Methods: A total of 1,279 reported cases of bovine brucellosis in cattle, obtained from the records of the Agency for Phytosanitary and Zoosanitary Regulation and Control (AGROCALIDAD), were examined to assess the spatiotemporal variation in prevalence across the country’s geographic regions. Results: The overall prevalence for the 7-year study was 13.7% (95% CI, 10.9%, 16.5%), with the Andean and Amazon regions exhibiting the highest average prevalence rates, at 15.7% and 15.3% respectively, while the Coastal region reported a lower average of 9.5%. Within the Andean region, prevalence varied significantly by province, ranging from 7.8% in Carchi to 29.6% in Loja. In the Amazon region, seroprevalence ranged from 6.8% in Morona Santiago to 22.9% in Napo. Temporally, bovine brucellosis in Ecuador showed considerable fluctuations. During the study period, prevalence ranged between approximately 2% and 52%, with an anomalous peak occurring in late 2022. Conclusion: Bovine brucellosis in Ecuador shows significant regional variation, with the highest prevalence in the Andean and Amazon regions, especially Loja and Napo, and the lowest rates in the Coastal region. Effective control requires targeted surveillance, mandatory vaccination, and movement restrictions in high-risk areas, supported by training and improved epidemiological data integration to move toward eradication.