Brucellosis: A neglected but existing threat to travelers and laboratory personnel in Taiwan

Between May and September 2011, the first four cases of human brucellosis in 30 years were confirmed in Taiwan. All cases occurred in returned travelers from regions where brucellosis is endemic. It reminds us of the possible threat of this neglected zoonosis. Brucellosis is the most common zoonotic disease worldwide with more than 500,000 new cases diagnosed annually. This disease is caused by the Brucella species and major animal hosts are goats, sheep, camels, cows, and pigs. Transmission to humans occurs through ingestion of infected, unpasteurized animal-milk products, through direct contact with infected animals, or through the inhalation of infected aerosolized particles. Like all zoonotic diseases, the incidence of brucellosis differs between countries and is the highest in the Middle East and Africa, where people still adhere to traditional farming and lifestyles. In developed countries, brucellosis has become a common imported disease because of increased international travel or imported food from endemic countries. Brucellosis is also notorious of being the most frequently recognized cause of laboratory-transmitted infection. Therefore, this organization endangers not only people with animal contact, but also laboratory personnel performing diagnostic tests. Surveillance and control of animal brucellosis in Taiwan was started in 1962. Antibody positive cows were sent to