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BRUCELLOSIS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What is brucellosis?
Brucellosis is a potentially serious disease that causes flu-like illness and infections in many different parts of
the body. Brucellosis disease is caused by bacteria (single living cells that can only be seen by a microscope)
called Brucella.These bacteria are found naturally in some animals including sheep, goats, cattle, deer, elk,
pigs, and dogs. Brucellosis disease in humans is not common in the United States: Only 100 to 200 cases
occur each year. Human brucellosis disease is more common in regions without strong animal disease control
programs, including the Middle East and Mediterranean regions, and in China, India, and Latin America.
How do people get brucellosis?
People get brucellosis by touching, eating, drinking, or breathing in brucellosis bacteria. This is called being
exposed to brucellosis. Someone can get exposed to naturally-occurring brucellosis through:
 Touching the hair, skin, or meat of an infected animal.
 Drinking unpasturized milk or milk products (such as “queso fresco”) contaminated with Brucella.
 Breathing air contaminated with Brucella (especially farmers or meat workers).
Terrorists could use brucellosis as a weapon by releasing brucellosis bacteria in the air or in public places.
What if there is a brucellosis attack or outbreak?
The [Insert Name of Health Department] has a plan to respond quickly to infectious disease emergencies and
contain outbreaks. [Insert Name of Health Department] will study the situation, determine whether people are
at risk for getting sick, recommend ways for people to keep themselves and their families safe, and recommend
antibiotics for people who are at risk for illness. If needed, antibiotics will be provided to everyone in the city.
[Insert Name of Health Department] will work with other medical and health professionals to provide needed
medical support and treatment, and will work with other city departments to remove brucellosis bacteria from
the environment. People may also be told to change and wash their clothing, skin, and hair to remove any
possible bacteria. Whether you will need to take antibiotics and wash will depend on things such as how, when,
and where brucellosis was released, and if you were nearby.
Can medicine keep me from getting sick with brucellosis?
A number of antibiotics have been studied for their ability to prevent brucellosis disease. At this time, there is
no standard recommendation for which antibiotic would offer the best protection. Doxycycline is an example
of an antibiotic that might be effective.
Can I get a brucellosis vaccine (shot) now?
There is no vaccine to prevent brucellosis in humans.
Can I catch brucellosis from someone?
Brucellosis is not spread from person-to-person except in very rare cases. There have been a few cases where a
person who was sick with brucellosis spread the disease to another person through unprotected sexual contact
or from mother-to-child contact (through breast feeding or giving birth).
How can I protect myself and my family from getting sick with brucellosis?
You can take steps to reduce your risk of getting brucellosis from a natural source (including animals) or an
intentional release. People at higher risk for brucellosis include: farmers, butchers, hunters, and veterinary staff.
To reduce your risk of brucellosis from a natural source:
Last updated 9/2006
BRUCELLOSIS FAQ
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Avoid eating or drinking unpasteurized milk, cheese, or ice cream (including “queso fresco”). Check the
label to make sure it says “pasteurized,” and do not eat it if you are not sure.
Avoid handling sick or dead animal bodies. If you must handle sick or dead animal bodies, use gloves,
eye protection, and a mask.
Cook meat thoroughly.
To reduce your risk of brucellosis from an intentional release:
 If you have been exposed to a suspicious substance or were present in an area identified to contain
Brucella bacteria, wash your skin and hair with soap and water to remove all brucellosis bacteria.
 In addition, change and wash your clothing. If you cannot wash your clothes immediately, isolate them
by putting them in a plastic bag.
What are the signs of brucellosis disease?
Brucellosis often looks like other more common flu-like illnesses. Signs may include fever, sweats,
headaches, back pains, and physical weakness. Severe infections of the central nervous systems or lining of
the heart may occur. Brucellosis can also cause long-lasting or chronic symptoms that include fevers, joint
pain, and physical weakness. Do not wait to call your doctor if you think you or a family may have been
exposed to brucellosis and are experiencing any symptoms. It is very important to start medical treatment as
soon as possible.
What do I do if I think that I have brucellosis?
Call your doctor if you suspect brucellosis and are having any signs of it, especially if you have been hunting,
handling dead animal bodies, farming, or eating or drinking unpasteurized milk products. Be sure to let your
doctor know if you are pregnant or have a weakened immune system (from cancer treatments, organ transplant,
AIDS, or heart disease) or are allergic to antibiotics.
Is there a cure for brucellosis disease?
Yes, but treatment can be difficult. Doctors can prescribe antibiotics. Usually, doxycycline and rifampin are
used in combination for 6 weeks to prevent the infection from coming back. It may take a few weeks to several
months to recover.
How can I find information during a brucellosis emergency?
To get up-to-date information during an emergency, go to the [Insert Name of Health Department] website
[insert web link]. Many radio and TV stations, including [insert relevant radio/TV stations] will broadcast
emergency instructions.
What can I do now if I am worried about a brucellosis attack or outbreak?
A brucellosis attack or outbreak in the U.S. is possible, though not likely. To prepare:
 Visit the CDC brucellosis website at
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/submenus/sub_brucellosis.htm.
 Keep a medication/health card with lists of health problems you have, the medications you take, and
medications to which you are allergic.
Last updated 9/2006