Brucellosis
(undulant fever, Bang's disease)
Brucellosis is a bacterial disease that may affect
various organs of the body, producing a wide variety of signs and
symptoms such as intermittent fever of variable duration, headache,
weakness, swollen lymph nodes, profuse sweating, chills, weight loss and
generalized aching. Brucellosis can also cause infection and
inflammation of the bone, testicles, and the lining of the heart.
The disease is generally transmitted from infected
animals (cattle, goats, pigs, and dogs) to humans and occurs more
commonly outside the USA and Canada. Wisconsin averages only about one
to two cases per year. Although everyone is susceptible and may get the
disease if exposed to the Brucella bacteria, brucellosis occurs most
commonly in people who work with livestock or in slaughterhouses, or who
consume unpasteurized dairy products. The consumption of raw milk cheese
from Mexico is a well recognized risk factor. Occasionally, persons who
work in bacteriology laboratories can get exposed to the bacteria.
General information
Brucellosis
fact sheet (PDF, 15 KB) Hmong (PDF,
13 KB) Spanish (PDF,
13 KB)
Information for health professionals
This is a Wisconsin Disease Surveillance Category II disease:
Report to
the patient's local public health department electronically, through the Wisconsin
Electronic Disease Surveillance System
(WEDSS), by mail or fax using an Acute and Communicable Disease Case
Report F44151 (PDF,
167 KB) or by other means within 72 hours upon recognition of a
case. DHS
Communicable Disease Reporting
Wisconsin case reporting and public health follow-up guidelines: Brucellosis
EpiNet (PDF, 39 KB)
Contacts
Wisconsin
Local Health Departments - Regional offices - Tribal agencies
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Last Revised:
June 13, 2012 |
