Brucellosis

Brucellosis, which primarily affects mammals such as deer and elk, cattle, pigs, dogs, sheep, and goats, is an infectious disease caused by Brucella bacteria. Human cases of brucellosis are rare, but are more common in places where public health efforts are limited; unpasteurized milk and dairy products account for the most common route of infection.

Brucella abortis, a strain of the bacteria that generally affects cattle and bison, causes decreases in milk production and spontaneous abortions in infected individuals. In the United States, this is the most common agent causing brucellosis infections. Transmission of the bacteria is typically accomplished through direct exposure to infected animals, although cases of contamination through affected food and water sources have been documented. Contemporary losses to farmers, in the form of ...