Brucellosis

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Definition

Brucellosis is a serious bacterial disease that causes fever, joint pain and fatigue. Brucellosis bacteria spread from animals to people, often in contaminated milk, cheese and other dairy products.

There's evidence that brucellosis affected the people of ancient Rome, and it continues to afflict people and animals in the Mediterranean Basin and elsewhere today. And although the bacteria can spread through the air or through direct contact with infected animals, most people get brucellosis from unpasteurized dairy products.

Brucellosis can usually be treated successfully with antibiotics, but the regimen is lengthy and relapses are common, even after treatment. There is no vaccine for brucellosis in humans, though animals can be vaccinated against the disease.

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Symptoms