Since the first two imported cases of brucellosis confirmed earlier this year in May and the third imported case of brucellosis confirmed in July, on September 14, 2011, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) confirmed another case of brucellosis in Taiwan, which is this year’s fourth imported brucellosis case.The case was discovered through an epidemiological investigation conducted by a local health unit. According to the epidemiological investigation, the case visited a temple in Malaysia with the third confirmed brucellosis case during March and April, 2011 and both cases had consumed contaminated goat milk produced by a dairy farm in Ayer Itam.In April, 2011, the Malaysian health authorities announced a brucellosis outbreak among the goats at the farm and shut the farm due to the outbreak.The farm was only reopened when it had purchased sterilization equipments.

Brucellosis is a zoonosis; the pathogen exists in the tissues, blood, and milk of infected animals. Humans can become infected by coming in contact with contaminated animal tissues, consuming dairy products or exposing to the bacteria in laboratories. Human to human transmission is uncommon. The incubation period of brucellosis varies from one week to a few months. The symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, sweating, and joint pain that are commonly seen in other diseases.Severe cases or deaths are rare.Most cases are treated successfully with antibiotics.Brucellosis is primarily endemic in Africa, Central Asia and Southeast Asia.People visiting areas at risk as mentioned above are advised to avoid consuming raw meat, unpasteurized milk, cheese, and ice cream and contacting animals during their trip.

Taiwan CDC urges travelers experiencing discomfort during the trip or upon arrival to contact quarantine services at the airport and seek immediate medical attention.In addition, informing the doctor of personal travel history and contact history will not only facilitate diagnosis, but also implementation of subsequent measures by the health authority to prevent further spread of the disease.

For more information, please visit the Taiwan CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw , or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922.