Changing Epidemiology of Human Brucellosis, Germany, 1962–2005

Details

• Alternative Title:
  Emerg Infect Dis
• Personal Author:
  Al Dahouk, Sascha ; Neubauer, Heinrich ; Hensel, Andreas ; Schöneberg, Irene ; Nöckler, Karsten ; Alpers, Katharina ; Merzenich, Hiltrud ; Stark, Klaus ; Jansen, Andreas
• Description:
  Trends in the epidemiology of human brucellosis in Germany were investigated by analyzing national surveillance data (1962-2005) complemented by a questionnaire-based survey (1995-2000). After a steady decrease in brucellosis incidence from 1962 to the 1980s, a persistent number of cases has been reported in recent years, with the highest incidence in Turkish immigrants (0.3/100,000 Turks vs. 0.01/100,000 in the German population; incidence rate ratio 29). Among cases with reported exposure risks, 59% were related to the consumption of unpasteurized cheese from brucellosis-endemic countries. The mean diagnostic delay was 2.5 months. Case fatality rates increased from 0.4% (1978-1981) to a maximum of 6.5% (1998-2001). The epidemiology of brucellosis in Germany has evolved from an endemic occupational disease among the German population into a travel-associated foodborne zoonosis, primarily affecting Turkish immigrants. Prolonged diagnostic delays and high case fatality call for targeted public health measures.
• Subjects:
  Adolescent Adult Aged Brucellosis Child Child, Preschool Female Humans Incidence Infant Infant, Newborn Male Middle Aged Time Factors

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• Source:
  Emerg Infect Dis. 13(12):1895-1900.
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Germany
• Volume:
  13
• Issue:
  12
• Collection(s):
  Emerging Infectious Diseases
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:f3841e1e40091f7a81a3cc03c0699d9d2c0e8f4d934067788c7a3b69792fd5f5
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/16834/cdc_16834_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 229.50 KB ]