What Causes Brucellosis?
Brucellosis, also known as 'Mediterranean Fever,' is a contagious disease that develops from exposure to a bacteria called Brucella. There are several different types of this bacteria, and it is carried by animals such as cows, sheep, dogs, goats, pigs, and camels. New strains of the Brucella bacteria have recently been found in foxes and seals. All of these animals can transmit the brucella bacteria to humans, leading to brucellosis. Typically, the disease begins with a fever, joint and back pain, extreme tiredness, and loss of appetite. As brucellosis progresses, it may lead to arthritis, more frequent fevers, depression, chronic fatigue, and swelling of the liver, spleen, or heart. Blood tests are required for diagnosis, and the ailment is, thankfully, treatable. There are approximately one hundred cases of brucellosis in the United States each year, and the World Health Organization estimates 500,000 individuals worldwide are diagnosed annually. Many of those who have been successfully treated will go on to experience another episode of the disease in the future.
Let's investigate some of the causes of brucellosis.