Brucellosis risk factors

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Raviteja Guddeti, M.B.B.S. [2] Danitza Lukac

Overview

Common risk factors in the development of brucellosis are: consuming unpasteurized dairy products, unsafe hunting practices and occupational risks such as slaughther house workers, meat-packing employees, veterinarian and laboratory workers.

Risk Factors

Common risk factors in the development of brucellosis are:

Countries at risk:

• Although brucellosis can be found worldwide, it is more common in countries that do not have effective public health and domestic animal health programs. Areas currently listed as high risk are:
  • Mediterranean Basin (Portugal, Spain, Southern France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, North Africa)
  • Mexico, South and Central America
  • Eastern Europe
  • Asia
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
  • The Middle East

Occupational Risks:

• Individuals in certain occupations or settings may face increased exposure to the bacteria that cause brucellosis. These include:
  • Slaughterhouse workers
    • Contamination of skin wounds may be a problem for persons working in slaughterhouses
  • Meat-packing employees
    • Contamination of skin wounds may be a problem for persons working in meat packing plants
  • Veterinarians
    • Contamination of skin wounds may be a problem for veterinarians
    • B. canis is the species of Brucella species that can infect dogs. This species has occasionally been transmitted to humans, but the vast majority of dog infections do not result in human illness. Although veterinarians exposed to blood of infected animals are at risk, pet owners are not considered to be at risk for infection. This is partly because it is unlikely that they will come in contact with blood, semen, or placenta of the dog.
  • Laboratory workers
    • Inhalation of Brucella organisms is not a common route of infection, but it can be a significant hazard for people working in laboratories

Unpasteurized Dairy Products:

• Unpasteurized cheeses (sometimes called "village cheeses") from areas at increased risk for brucellosis may represent a particular risk for tourists.
• Developing countries often do not have safeguards that can help prevent or monitor possible outbreaks, such as pasteurization laws, animal control/slaughter regulations, and brucellosis surveillance programs.
• When traveling in areas with high risk, indivuduals may unknowingly consume unpasteurized dairy products. People from the U.S. who travel to these areas should:
  • Recognize that milk and dairy products may not be pasteurized and could be unsafe to consume.
  • Only consume meat products which are thoroughly cooked, since many countries cannot ensure brucellosis-free meat products.

Risks for Expecting Mothers:

• While rare, human-to-human transmission from lactating mothers to their breastfed infants has been reported.
• Prompt diagnosis and treatment of brucellosis during pregnancy can be lifesaving for the fetus.

Hunters Risks:

• Some game animals that transmit brucellosis include:
  • Wild hogs (feral swine)
  • Elk
  • Bison
  • Caribou
  • Moose
• Hunters may be infected through skin wounds or by accidentally ingesting the bacteria after cleaning animals that they have killed.