What is Brucellosis?
A. Brucellosis is a contagious disease caused by bacteria called Brucella abortus. This disease infects domestic animals, wildlife and humans worldwide. In the United States, the primary livestock carriers of the disease historically have been cattle. The only wildlife populations known to be infected with Brucella abortus in the United States are the elk and bison in the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. Some feral swine populations, and caribou and reindeer in Alaska are known to be infected with a type of brucellosis caused by a similar bacteria, Brucella suis. Although rare, brucellosis can also infect humans and is called undulant fever, Malta fever or Mediterranean fever. Once a person is infected, the disease can affect any organ or organ system of the body.
Brucellosis is a highly contagious disease of cattle caused by a bacterium which spreads through animals coming into contact with infected female cattle, aborted foeti or discharged placental tissues and fluids. The disease can lead to an abortion storm amongst infected females and if it becomes established can lead to decreased milk yields, infertility, weak calves and serious financial loss. The disease is particularly dangerous to humans who come into contact with infected animals or material.
