On May 17, 2011, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced a confirmed case of brucellosis in a citizen who traveled to North Africa, including Morocco and Algeria, with her cousin in February and March, 2011. During the trip, she rode a camel, ate raw beef/lamb, cheese, and dairy products. After returning to Taiwan, she had fever with abnormal liver function test in April and her cousin also developed fever. They respectively sought medical assistance, and told the physician about their travel and animal contact history. After diagnosis, they were hospitalized and reported to Taiwan CDC as suspected brucellosis cases. The laboratory resulted showed a positive serologic test for brucellosis in one of the cases.
Upon receiving the report of the suspected brucellosis cases, the health authority contacted the 23 travel companions; none had developed illness except the two cases presenting suspicious symptoms of brucellosis. Brucellosis was ruled out in the cousin of the confirmed case by serologic test. As the incubation period of brucellosis can be as long as a few months, Taiwan CDC advises people who have traveled to the Mediterranean Basin, North and East Africa, the Middle East, South and Central America and developed symptoms of intermitting fever, fatigue, sweats, abdominal pain, headache, back pain, and general weakness after returning to Taiwan to seek medical attention immediately and inform the physician of the recent travel and animal contact history.
Brucellosis is a zoonosis; the pathogen exists in the tissues, blood, and milk of infected animals. Humans 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. Pet owners do not need to be concerned about infection because it is unlikely to have contact with body secretions of pets when playing with pets.
Taiwan CDC urges 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. Travelers are also advised to pay attention to their and travel companions’ health and seek medical attention as soon as possible if any discomfort occurs. In addition, people planning to travel overseas are encouraged to visit Travel Clinics 2 to 4 weeks prior to the trip for outbreak information at travel destinations or access the Taiwan CDC’s website (http://www.cdc.gov.tw/) for updated information on international epidemics and travel-related communicable diseases.