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BRUCELLOSIS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Insert Health Department Logo Here 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 Page 2 of 2 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