Disease Fact Sheet Series:
What is brucellosis ?
Brucellosis is a bacterial disease that may affect various organs of
the body, producing a wide variety of signs and symptoms.
Who gets brucellosis?
Although everyone is susceptible and may get the disease if exposed to
the Brucella bacteria, brucellosis is most commonly found in people
who work with livestock or in slaughterhouses, or who consume
unpasteurized dairy products. Occasionally, persons who work in
bacteriology laboratories can get exposed to the bacteria.
How is brucellosis spread?
The bacteria that cause this disease are found in unpasteurized milk
and unpasteurized dairy products from infected cows and goats. It is also
found in certain body fluids like blood, urine, and semen, and in aborted
fetuses from infected cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and less commonly, dogs.
Certain wild animals such as deer, elk, and bison may carry the Brucella
bacteria. It is unlikely that this disease can be spread from one person
to another.
What are the symptoms of brucellosis?
Symptoms of brucellosis include intermittent fever of variable
duration, headache, weakness, swollen lymph nodes, profuse sweating,
chills, weight loss and generalized aching. Brucellosis can also cause
infection and inflammation of the bone, testicles, and the lining of the
heart.
How soon do symptoms appear?
The time period is highly variable, but symptoms usually appear within
5 to 30 days.
Does past infection with brucellosis make a person
immune?
It is unlikely that an individual will be reinfected.
What is the treatment for brucellosis?
Physicians will prescribe a combination of antibiotics to cure the
disease. Early diagnosis leading to prompt treatment is essential to
prevent chronic infection.
What can be done to prevent the spread of brucellosis?
People can reduce their risk of infection by avoiding dairy products
made from unpasteurized milk and by avoiding contact with infected cattle,
hogs, sheep, goats or dogs. Animals can be tested by a veterinarian to
determine if they are infected. Farmers and veterinarians who vaccinate
livestock against brucellosis should handle the vaccine with caution to
avoid accidental needle sticks. Persons working in clinical microbiology
laboratories should follow established biosafety guidelines when working
with bacteriologic cultures.
For more information, contact your
Local
Public Health Department
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Last Revised: March 20, 2008
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