Brucellosis, 2019

Brucellosis is an acute or chronic illness caused by bacteria of the Brucella genus. There are 5 important species of Brucella: B. abortus, B. melitensis, B. suis, B. canis, and B. ovis, of which cattle, goats, pigs, dogs, and sheep are the respective reservoir animals. Transmission can occur through ingestion of unpasteurized dairy products, contact with infected animal tissue, or inhalation of aerosolized bacteria in a laboratory setting. Minnesota’s livestock have been brucellosis free since 1985; most infections are acquired in Brucella-endemic countries.

In 2019, 4 confirmed cases were reported; all were infected with B. melitensis. Case ages ranged from 23 to 44 years; 2 were male; all were hospitalized and survived. The exposure for 3 cases was likely ingesting unpasteurized camel milk in Africa, and the exposure for the fourth case was unknown. One case’s isolate resulted in exposure of one clinical laboratory staff person.

From 2007 to 2019, 26 cases were reported. Nineteen likely acquired their infection outside the United States, and 7 were domestically acquired. The median number of cases reported annually was 2 (range, 0 to 4). Nineteen were infected with B. melitensis, 5 with B. suis, 1 with B. abortus, and 1 with an unidentified Brucella species diagnosed by serology only. The median age of cases was 49 years (range, 3 to 86). Sixteen of the 26 cases for which race was known were black, 8 were white (of which 2 identified as Hispanic), and 2 were Asian/Pacific Islander.

• Find up to date information at>> Brucellosis (Brucella species)
• Full issue>> Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2019