Brucellosis - Definition and Overview

Brucellosis is a bacterial disease that causes chills, fever, headache, sweating, slow pulse, weakness and general aching. It is causesd by the Brucella bacteria. In advanced stages it can cause enlargement of the spleen. The disease is common in vertebrate animals in countries with little or no effective animal disease control programs.

Humans can become infected through consumption of contaminated dairy products, contact with an infected animal, or inhalation of the bacteria. Direct spreading from person to person is very unlikely.

Links

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention about Brucellosis (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/brucellosis_g.htm)