17
ISSUE 60
DECEMBER 2020
• People travelling to areas where brucellosis is common and who consume raw/
unpasteurised dairy products or come into contact with infected animals. These areas
include Africa and Europe (especially around the Mediterranean - Portugal, Spain,
Southern France, Italy, Greece and Turkey), the Middle East, Central and South America
and Asia.
• Rarely people may become infected after eating imported foods (e.g. unpasteurised
cheese) made from raw animal products in countries where brucellosis occurs in animals.
• People who work in microbiology laboratories handling Brucella cultures may be at risk
• Pregnant women and their babies are at risk of developing severe disease.
HOW IS IT PREVENTED?
• Feral pig hunters and others who are in contact with feral pigs should follow the
precautions outlined in the Brucellosis & Feral Pig Hunting Factsheet to protect themselves
protect themselves, their family and dogs against brucellosis and other common diseases
transmitted from animals
• Thoroughly cook meat from feral pigs (and other game) before eating – freezing,
smoking, drying and pickling do not kill the bacteria that cause brucellosis
• Those vulnerable to severe disease (such as pregnant women) should avoid all contact
with feral pigs, hunting activities and pig hunting dogs
• If your dog has been diagnosed with brucellosis, follow the recommendations outlined in
the Brucellosis in Dogs Information Sheet from the NSW Department of Primary Industries
to prevent spreading the infection to humans and other domestic animals
Travellers to countries where brucellosis is more common should:
• Avoid eating or drinking raw/unpasteurised dairy products (such as raw milk and
unpasteurised cheeses from sheep, goats, cows or camels) – raw milk can be boiled
before consumption if pasteurisation is not available
• Avoid eating or drinking undercooked meat
• Avoid direct (bare skin) contact with animal tissues, blood and other body fluids.
HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?
If brucellosis is suspected, a doctor will usually collect two blood samples, two or more weeks
apart to check antibodies against the bacteria. This test cannot reliably differentiate between
the different Brucella species.
The doctor may also take samples of fluid or tissue from affected body parts to culture (grow)
the bacteria.
HOW IS IT TREATED?
Effective treatment usually involves a combination of antibiotics for at least six weeks.
Occasionally, antibiotics may need to continue for months. Despite treatment, brucellosis can
recur. If symptoms persist, consult your medical practitioner.
WHAT IS THE PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE?
Brucellosis infection in humans is a notifiable medical condition in NSW. Local public health
units will contact those infected to try and identify the likely source of infection. If brucellosis
is acquired in NSW or if a domestic animal is infected, the NSW Department of Primary
Industries may be consulted to help control the spread of infection in animal populations.
FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information about brucellosis in humans:
• See the NSW Health Brucellosis & Feral Pig Hunting Factsheet
• Call your local Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055.
For further information about brucellosis in animals, see the NSW Department of Primary
Industries (DPI) websites on: Being a responsible pig dogger: Hunt safe, hunt legal ; Brucellosis
in dogs ; Brucellosis in pigs.
Cases in NSW
usually result
from contact
with feral
pigs or from
consuming
unpasteurised
dairy products
while
overseas.
