Brucellosis is a pervasive zoonotic bacterial disease produced by multiple Brucella species, including B. melitensis, B. abortus, B. suis, B. ovis, B. neotomae, and B. canis, that chiefly infects animals such as cattle, swine, goats, sheep, and dogs [1][2][4]. It is a long-recognized zoonosis historically termed Malta fever or Mediterranean fever, and it persists as a public health problem in settings where animal reservoirs are not eradicated [4].
Disease overview
Bacterial Evidence-backed information EN 5/7 applicable sections · ZH 5/7 applicable sections Updated Oct 23, 2026
Brucellosis is a widespread bacterial zoonosis caused by various Brucella species that primarily affects livestock and wildlife and presents serious public health threats where hygiene and veterinary standards are suboptimal [1][2]. The disease occurs globally and remains a reportable condition in most countries, with human illness driven by animal-contact and foodborne exposures [2]. Diagnostic difficulty and underreporting complicate its control, underscoring the need for sustained surveillance and prevention efforts [3].
Read the full clinical and epidemiological profile 6
Human brucellosis commonly manifests with non-specific signs such as fever, profuse sweating, malaise, muscle and joint pain, reduced appetite, weight loss, and enlargement of liver, spleen, or lymph nodes [5]. Diagnostic evaluation is hampered by nonspecific symptomatology and sampling difficulty, necessitating combined clinical and laboratory assessment [1].
Brucellosis is among the most extensively distributed animal-transmitted zoonoses, found worldwide and subject to reporting requirements in most nations [2]. In endemic areas it imposes substantial public health consequences, with expansion of animal industries, urbanization, and inadequate hygienic practices in husbandry and food handling sustaining its hazard [2]. B. melitensis is the predominant species in human cases globally, partly owing to challenges in immunizing free-ranging small ruminants [2].
People generally acquire brucellosis through direct contact with infected animals, ingestion of contaminated animal products such as unpasteurized milk or fresh cheese, or inhalation of airborne agents [2]. Most infections arise from consuming raw dairy derivatives, particularly from sheep and goats, while occupational exposure to blood, placenta, fetuses, and uterine secretions represents another key route [2]. Human-to-human spread is exceedingly uncommon [2].
Control relies on surveillance and mitigating risk factors, with the most effective approach being elimination of infection in animal populations through vaccination of cattle, goats, and sheep in high-prevalence enzootic areas or test-and-cull in low-prevalence settings [2]. Where animal eradication is infeasible, human prevention depends on awareness raising, food-safety measures including milk pasteurization, occupational hygiene, and laboratory safety [2]. Interdisciplinary collaboration and ongoing research are emphasized to strengthen disease control and prevention globally [1].
- 1 Qureshi KA et al. Brucellosis: epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment-a comprehensive review. Ann Med. 2023. PMID: 38165919. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2295398. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38165919/
- 2 World Health Organization. Brucellosis [Internet]. cited 23 Oct 2026. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/brucellosis
- 3 Freire ML et al. Diagnosis of human brucellosis: Systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2024 Mar. PMID: 38452046. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012030. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38452046/
- 4 Aleixo MJ et al. [Brucellosis]. Acta Med Port. 1999 Dec. PMID: 10892434. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10892434/
- 5 Jin M et al. Research progress on complications of Brucellosis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2023. PMID: 37065189. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1136674. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37065189/
- A23
- 1B92
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