Brucellosis FAQ

What is brucellosis?

Brucellosis is a bacterial disease found in domestic and wild animals (cattle, goats, dogs, coyotes, swine, sheep, deer, elk, caribou and other animals). Humans contract the disease by direct contact with infected animals and their carcasses or secretions or by ingesting unpasteurized milk or milk products from diseased cows, sheep and goats.

Brucellosis is rare in humans in the United States. Most cases occur among recent immigrants, people who have ingested food products imported from abroad, or in people who have traveled to countries where brucellosis is common.

Persons in occupations such as farming, ranching, and veterinary medicine are at increased risk of contacting the disease.

How is brucellosis spread?

Brucellosis can be transmitted to humans by the oral route through ingestion of unpasteurized milk or milk products, via inhalation of aerosols generated on farms and in slaughterhouses, or when the bacteria enters cuts and abrasions in the skin.

Human-to-human transmission rarely has been documented.

What are the symptoms of burcellosis?

The incubation period of brucellosis varies from less than one week to several months; however, most persons become ill within three to four weeks after exposure.

Symptoms may include fever, headache, weakness, profuse sweating, chills, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, weight loss, muscle and joint pain. Infections of organs including the liver and spleen may also occur.

Brucellosis in children is frequently a mild self-limited disease compared with the more chronic disease observed among adults.

What is the treatment for brucellosis?

A combination of antibiotics must be taken for several weeks.

How do we prevent the spread of brucellosis?

The main way to prevent brucellosis in humans is by eliminating the disease in domestic animals. Cattle, dairy goats, and swine imported from other states are required to have a health certificate indicating they are free of brucellosis. People working with animal carcasses should protect open wounds or abrasions with bandages and use protective clothing, gloves and goggles. Persons should consume only pasteurized milk or milk products. In addition, hands should be washed after handing any animal carcass or raw meat product.