Brucellosis (Malta Fever)
On this page, you will find everything you are looking for concerning brucellosis.
What Is Brucellosis?
Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria. A person can contract the disease through contact with infected animals or animal products contaminated with the bacteria. The most commonly infected animals include sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, dogs, and others.
What Are the Symptoms of Brucellosis?
- Brucellosis can cause a range of signs and symptoms, some of which may appear for extended periods. Initial symptoms may include:
- Fever.
- Sweating.
- Malaise.
- Loss of appetite.
- Headache.
Pain in the muscles, joints, and/or back.
What Are the Causes of Brucellosis?
- Brucellosis infection is primarily acquired through:
- Drinking unpasteurized (non-sterilized) milk.
- Consuming dairy products, such as cheese made from unpasteurized milk.
Infection can also occur from eating raw or undercooked meat or through contact with bodily fluids of farm animals such as cows, goats, sheep, and pigs, though this is rare.
Human-to-human transmission of brucellosis is extremely rare.
How Is Brucellosis Diagnosed?:
- The doctor will take the medical history and conduct a physical examination. Additional procedures might be required as necessary, such as:
Drawing blood samples, bone marrow, or other body fluids. Moreover, a blood test can be conducted to detect antibodies against the bacteria.
How Is Brucellosis Treated?
- Treatment is undertaken through several procedures, as needed, and may include:
Antibiotics.
Recovery may take from a few weeks to several months.
How to Prevent Brucellosis?
- The best way to prevent brucellosis is to avoid consuming:
- Undercooked meat.
Unpasteurized dairy products.
The pasteurization process involves heating raw milk to a high temperature for a short period. This heating process eliminates harmful bacteria that could render the milk unsafe for consumption.
- People who handle animal tissues (such as hunters and herders) should protect themselves by using:
- Rubber gloves.
Protective goggles.
This helps ensure that bacteria from potentially infected animals do not enter the eyes or open wounds.
What Are the Complications of Brucellosis?
- Some signs and symptoms may persist for longer periods and might never disappear or could recur. Complications can also include:
- Recurrent fever.
- Arthritis.
- Swelling of the testicles and scrotum area.
- Swelling of the heart (endocarditis).
- Neurological symptoms.
- Chronic fatigue.
- Depression.
Swelling of the liver and/or spleen.
When Should You See a Doctor?
- Consult a doctor if you notice any of the previously mentioned symptoms, or if:
- Ate raw, undercooked meat or unpasteurized milk, or any dairy product, and developed symptoms.
- Worked closely with farm animals.
Have traveled abroad recently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a way to prevent disease transmission from milk when drinking it directly after milking from goats or cows?
