Brucellosis is an infectious bacterial disease in humans transmitted by contact with infected animals or infected animal products. It continues to be a major public and animal health problem in many regions of the world, particularly in the Mediterranean region, western Asia, parts of Africa and Latin America. Reduction in human brucellosis cases is a good indicator of successful progress in the control of animal brucellosis. These guidelines have been prepared with the aim of aiding the development of effective disease control strategies, and have been developed by reviewing programmes in countries that have successfully controlled and eradicated brucellosis, as well as in those countries where the disease is still endemic.