Brucellosis in Humans and Animals

Book excerpt: Brucellosis, also known as undulant fever, Mediterranean fever, or Malta fever, is an important human disease in many parts of the world. It is a zoonosis and the infection is almost invariably transmitted to people by direct or indirect contact with infected animals or their products. These Guidelines are designed as a concise, yet comprehensive, statement on brucellosis for public health, veterinary and laboratory personnel without access to specialized services. They are also to be a source of accessible and updated information for such others as nurses, midwives and medical assistants who may have to be involved with brucellosis in humans. Emphasis is placed on fundamental measures of environmental and occupational hygiene in the community and in the household as well as on the sequence of actions required to detect and treat patients.