Contenu du sommaire : Crises sanitaires et santé globale

France had not seen a case of ruminant brucellosis in livestock for more than 10 years, but a bovine case of Brucella melitensis biovar was detected on April 4, 2012. Five other cows were found to be seropositive, and the entire herd was slaughtered as a precaution- ary measure. A few months earlier, a case of human brucellosis in a child, whose origin remained unknown, had been detected in the region, followed by a second case in the same family in a young man. The ANSES highlighted the similarity of bacterial strains in the patients and the first bovine case. Scientific research led agents from the ONCFS to extend their search for the bacterium to wildlife. Investigations carried out in the wild also identified the presence of brucellosis in a population of ibex occupying the Bargy massif. From the destruction of all ibexes to its defense, positions were quickly settled, but the political decision was to slaughter the animals. This article looks at the conflicting interpretations of the measures to be put in place to combat brucellosis, and at the effects of this crisis on knowledge linked to the management of wild and domestic fauna.

In May 2022, the industrial region of southern Lyon in France was identified as a major site of contamination by persistent toxic substances. This paper analyzes the relations between local journalistic work aimed at reducing scientific ignorance about this pollution and collective action generated by local activism. This knowledge can be used to individualize the problem and shift the question of ignorance to other areas.