Brucellosis

Brucellosis is caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella. It is transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected animals, ingestion of contaminated food, or inhalation of bacterial aerosols.

Our missions

  • Epidemiological surveillance of human brucellosis based on mandatory reporting and diagnoses made by the National Reference Center

  • Support for measures or actions to be implemented in the event of an alert

  • Providing information to public authorities, healthcare professionals, and the general public

The disease

A bacterial zoonosis

Brucellosis (sometimes also called Malta fever) is a bacterial zoonosis caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella. Three species are predominant:

  • Brucella melitensis, the most pathogenic, invasive, and widespread species worldwide,

  • Brucella abortus,

  • Brucella suis.

Other...

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What We Do

In France, brucellosis is no longer primarily a disease affecting livestock farmers and veterinarians in rural areas, but rather one that mainly affects travelers returning from enzootic countries and consumers of dairy products imported from enzootic regions. Although indigenous cases have...

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Data

From January 1 to December 31, 2024, 32 mandatory brucellosis reports were submitted to Santé publique France.

Of these, 6 corresponded to false-positive serology results for Brucella in individuals infected with Yersinia enterocolica. Since two other DO forms did not meet the reporting...

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Publications

Here you will find the latest scientific publications related to the studies and research conducted by Santé publique France.

2 publications