Brucellosis (cont.)

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Brucellosis is transmitted from animals to humans in several ways. The most common route of transmission occurs when humans consume raw milk or cheese from infected sheep and goats. Infected animals shed the organism into their milk, and if humans eat or drink unpasteurized dairy products from these affected animals, they can develop brucellosis.

Brucellosis can also be transmitted to humans via inhalation of the organism or by direct contact with infected animal secretions. The bacteria can gain entry into the body through the inhalation of aerosolized secretions, through breaks in the skin, or through exposure of the mucous membranes/conjunctiva from the splashing of infected secretions. With these routes of entry, brucellosis is an occupational disease that can affect veterinarians, slaughterhouse workers, butchers, hunters, laboratory personnel, and those individuals who work closely with livestock (for example, farmers and shepherds).

Finally, an accidental injection with the livestock vaccine used against Brucella abortus can also lead to brucellosis in humans. Human-to-human transmission is very rare (via sexual contact and breastfeeding).

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