Some aspects of brucellosis

Abstract

The occurrence of human brucellosis in Malta is of long standing and has presented various problems ever since it became accurately diagnosable and clearly distinguishable from other prolonged fevers. How can the cases which have arisen since 1968 be accounted for? The question is not easily answered. Obviously the first point to consider is whether pasteurised milk could have led to infection. In every reported case the Health authorities carry out a close investigation, which generally, but by no means always, leads to suspicion being cast on some definite way of infection. Complete eradication of the disease will not occur unless brucellosis is eradicated in the animal reservoirs and this still needs the complete putting into effect of the measures now available. The consumption of cheese is one source of infection which could and should be dealt with at once.