A investigation of epidemic outbreak of brucellosis in Tongxiang City of Zhejiang Province

Abstract

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of Brucella aggregation of disease outbreaks, and explore the causes and possible routes of transmission in Tongxiang City for proposing prevention and control measures. Methods A case investigation was done to the first case of bovine brucellosis, while search of new case was carried out in the population. Epidemiological survey was carried out in accordance with the case study form from Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention that developed the unified form, at the same time, survey of risk factors were carried out. According to the principle of informed consent, blood samples were collected, brucellosis rose bengal plate agglutination test (RBPT) and tube agglutination test (SAT) were used, and positive specimens were identified by Brucella culture. Brucellosis diagnosis was based on "Brucellosis Diagnostic Criteria" (WS 269-2007). Results The first case was a male fifty-six years old wine salesman from the farmers market. Serum of the patient was (+) in RBPT test, and 1∶400 (++) in SAT test. Cattle Brucella was check out by blood culture. Totally 66 human serum samples from the case search in key groups were tested, three people were detected seropositive but Brucella culture result was negative. Three cases were determined latent infection who had contacted beef sales staff. Conclusions The survey has shown that it is possible to get infected through contact with respiratory, skin, mucous membranes of Brucella infected beef or contaminated environment. Epidemic form should be concerned of non-professional personnel who are infected with different isoforms of brucellosis. The training of clinicians should be strengthened to improve their diagnosis and treatment technology. Health education should also be carried out to raise awareness of key population of disease prevention. Key words: Brucellosis; Clusters of cases; Data collection