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| Brucellosis is a bacterial disease transmitted
to humans by ingestion of unpasteurized milk and milk products from infected
cows, goats or pigs; or by direct contact with infected animal body fluids
and products of conception. The illness is not common in Canada. The illness
is characterized by fever, headache, weakness, profuse sweating, chills,
joint pain, depression, weight loss and generalized aching. Brucellosis
is treated with antibiotics. |
BRUCELLOSIS
AGENT OF DISEASE:
Brucellosis is caused by the bacterium, Brucella, which lives naturally
in animals: in cattle as Brucella abortus, in sheep and goats as Brucella
melitensis, in pigs as Brucella suis and in dogs as Brucella
canis.
WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTION:
Brucellosis is not common in Canada. The majority of cases are reported
from the Mediterranean region of southern Europe, and north and eastern Africa.
The illness also occurs in substantial numbers in the Middle East, India,
central Asia, Mexico and Central and South America.
SYMPTOMS:
Symptoms usually appear within 5 to 60 days after exposure and include fever,
headache, weakness, profuse sweating, chills, depression, weight loss and
generalized aching. Sometimes infection of organs, such as the liver and spleen,
can occur. Untreated infection may lead to complications in bones and joints
and in the genital and urinary tracts. Relapses are common, when all or some
of the original symptoms return. If joint problems continue to recur, arthritis
is a possible long-term side effect.
PERIOD OF COMMUNICABILITY:
There is no evidence of person-to-person transmission.
HOW IT IS TRANSMITTED:
Infection is acquired by direct contact with infected animal body fluids
and tissues: blood, urine, vaginal discharges, aborted fetuses and placentas.
Infection may also be acquired through ingestion of raw milk and dairy products
from infected cows, sheep and goats. Airborne infection of animals may occur
in pens and stables; airborne infection of humans may occur in laboratories
and slaughter houses.
PREVENTION:
- All milk and dairy products from cows, sheep, and goats should be pasteurized.
If pasteurization is impossible, milk should be boiled for personal consumption.
- Travellers to endemic areas should be informed about the risk of brucellosis
from drinking and eating unpasteurized milk and dairy products.
- In regions where the prevalence of brucellosis is high, farmers and slaughterhouse
workers should be aware of the risks of handling animal tissue, and should
be instructed in infection control practices to minimize risk of exposure.
- Hunters should wear protective clothing and gloves when handling a kill.
Discarded animal remains should be buried.
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