12/05/2025 Public Health Education Topic: Brucellosis

Per CDC:

Key points

• Brucellosis is a disease caused by bacteria.

• The disease spreads to people through contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products.

• People in certain jobs or settings that work with animals or animal products may face increased exposure to the bacteria that cause brucellosis.

• Brucellosis can be treated with antibiotics.

Signs and symptoms

Brucellosis can cause a range of signs and symptoms in people, and some can occur for a long time before it's diagnosed. The first symptoms can include:

• Fever

• Sweating

• Generally feeling badly (malaise)

• Not wanting to eat (anorexia)

• Headache

• Pain in muscles, joint, and/or back

• Feeling more tired than usual (fatigue)

  
  

Other symptoms may continue or may come and go until you've had treatment, including:

• Fevers that keep coming back

• Arthritis

• Swelling of the testicles and scrotum area

• Infection of the heart (endocarditis)

• Memory loss, confusion, and irritability

• Depression

• Swelling of the liver and/or spleen

If you think you've been exposed to brucellosis, contact your health care provider.

To learn more visit: About Brucellosis | Brucellosis | CDC