As the number of imported brucellosis cases reported in Taiwan has been on the rise, it is pertinent to reinforce disease surveillance capabilities to reduce the risk of brucellosis transmission. According to Article 3 of the Communicable Disease Control Act, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) promulgated the inclusion of brucellosis in the list of Category IV Notifiable Infectious Disease in order to require medical institutes and personnel to report such cases and provide a basis for implementing control measures for public health emergency. Further, according to Article 39 of the Communicable Disease Control Act, when physicians detect or suspect brucellosis in patients during the process of diagnosis and treatment, they shall immediately take the necessary infection control measures and report such cases to the competent authorities in the locality within a week of detection. Failure to do so may result in a fine of NT$ 90,000 up to NT$ 450,000.

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 clinical symptoms include fever, headache, loss of appetite, sweating, and joint pain. Most brucellosis cases are treatable with antibiotics. Few cases may die of endocarditis if left untreated.

Although brucellosis can be found worldwide, it is more common in Africa, Central and Southeast Asia. Over the recent years, outbreaks of brucellosis have also been reported in neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Korea and China. Last year, imported cases of brucellosis, a disease that was unseen in Taiwan for nearly 30 years, were reported. A total of 5 imported brucellosis cases were confirmed and reported during May to October, 2011, which indicates that the pathogen can pose a threat to public health. In addition, since brucellosis is a major infectious disease in animal husbandry, the Council of Agriculture in Taiwan has respectively promulgated bovine and caprine brucellosis as Type B Animal Diseases.

Taiwan CDC advises people visiting countries at risk as mentioned above to avoid contacting animals or consuming raw meat, unpasteurized milk, cheese, and ice cream 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 and inform the physician of the recent travel and animal contact history to facilitate diagnosis and implementation of subsequent measures by the health authority to prevent further spread of the disease. Taiwan CDC also urges physicians to remain vigilant for suspected cases of brucellosis and collect serum samples from suspected cases for further laboratory confirmation by Taiwan CDC. For any questions or further information, please call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922, or 0800-024582 if calling from a cell phone, or visit the Taiwan CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw.