How to Prevent Brucellosis

Brucellosis is an infection caused by bacteria in the Brucella genus that are primarily found in animals and transmitted to humans through contaminated animal products, especially milk. Brucellosis is rare in the United States but continues to be a threat to public health. It is endemic in the Arabian peninsula, the Mediterranean, western Asia and parts of Africa. The following steps will show how to prevent brucellosis.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Wear goggles and rubber gloves while handling animals and carcasses that may be infected with Brucella, especially the blood and viscera. Wear bandages or dressings to protect wounds from direct exposure.
2. Pasteurize all milk and other dairy products. This is especially important in preventing brucellosis in children. Cheese made from unpasteurized milk that has been aged for less than three months may still be contaminated. Unpasteurized dairy products should not be eaten while traveling to endemic areas.
3. Control brucellosis in animals. This requires immunization, surveillance and testing of all animals in endemic areas. There are live vaccines for Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis, but they are not recommended for human use as they can cause infection. Immunity to brucellosis after infection lasts only about two years.
4. Slaughter infected cattle, goats and sheep. Avoid unnecessary contact with animals that may be infected. Conduct public awareness and education campaigns.
5. Follow the Brucellosis Eradication Program in the United States. This program was established in 1956 and has virtually eliminated brucellosis in herd animals.