Brucellosis resources

Brucellosis is a bacterial infection that causes disease in mammals, especially sheep, goats, and cattle. Humans become infected by exposure to the tissues, blood, urine, vaginal discharge, aborted fetuses, and placentas of infected animals. Contaminated animal products (e.g., raw milk and dairy products) can also transmit the disease. Farmers, ranchers, and veterinarians, as well as slaughterhouse workers, meat inspectors, and laboratory personnel are at increased risk for brucellosis. In the United States, 100 to 200 brucellosis cases are reported each year. Most cases result from travel outside the United States and ingestion of unpasteurized milk products. Person-to-person transmission rarely has been documented. Because small amounts of aerosolized bacteria can cause disease, Brucella is considered a potential agent of bioterrorism.

• Frequently asked questions about brucellosis, CDC

• Brucellosis technical information, CDC
• Recommendations for risk assessment, post-exposure prophylaxis, and follow-up of laboratory personnel exposed to pathogenic Brucella species

Purpose of surveillance:

• To identify naturally occurring cases of brucellosis and common source outbreaks
• To facilitate diagnosis of suspected cases and appropriate treatment when indicated
• To identify other exposed persons requiring medical evaluation, monitoring and/or treatment
• To identify and eliminate sources of transmission
• To identify cases resulting from a bioterrorism attack

Local epidemiology:

No cases of brucellosis were reported in 2012. The last reported case occurred in 2011 in a person that was most likely exposed during travel to India. There have been three other cases of brucellosis reported in King County over the past 10 years. One case was reported in an African immigrant in 2003, and two cases were reported in 2007 - an infant and mother who were likely infected by consuming unpasteurized dairy products while traveling in India.               

Though no cases occurred in 2012, three lab workers were reported as having been potentially exposed to B. canis through inadvertent errors in handling of a laboratory specimen. Two received antibiotic treatment to prevent infection and one elected to watch for symptoms of infection for the recommended period of 24 weeks. None of the workers developed symptoms of brucellosis.

Each year in Washington state there are 0 to 3 reports of brucellosis.