An infectious disease causing fever that affects cattle, pigs, goats, other animals, and humans. Brucellosis is also known as Malta fever.

Bacteria in the Brucella (B) species cause the disease. B. melitensis, B. suis and B. abortus may all cause the disease in humans. The organisms are intracellular parasites.

Brucellosis is acquired by direct contact with body fluids of infected animals or by drinking raw milk infected with the organisms. Transmission from person to person is rare. Cases are rare in the USA, Canada and Europe, but are still being reported in parts of the Middle East, Mediterranean area, Mexico, and Central America.

The average incubation period is 2 weeks; however, it can vary from 5 days to several months. Sudden onset of chills, fever, severe headache, pains, malaise, and, at times, diarrhea may occur. The onset may be unrecognizable with mild malaise, headache, pain in the back of the neck, and then a rise in temperature particularly in the evening.

The most reliable test is based on detecting the organism in blood, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, or tissues. Serologic results and agglutination tests are considered to be important.

Combination therapy is used whenever possible to prevent relapses. A combination of tetracycline and streptomycin is given. Doxycycline is also considered effective.

Severe pains may require analgesics. Bedrest is recommended during feverish episodes.

Patients who experience acute and uncomplicated disease usually recover within 2 to 3 weeks. Complications rarely occur. They may include: subacute bacterial endocarditis, meningitis, encephalitis, neuritis, inflammation of the testes, cholecystitis, hepatic pus formation, and bone lesions.

1. This disease shall be granted service connection although not otherwise established as incurred in or aggravated by service if manifested to a compensable degree within the applicable time limits under §3.307 following service in a period of war or following peacetime service on or after January 1, 1947, provided the rebuttable presumption provisions of §3.307 are also satisfied [38 CFR §3.309 [Disease subject to presumptive service connection], §3.309 (a). [chronic disease].

2. May be entitled to special monthly compensation where the Veteran has a single service-connected disability rated as 100% and/or other requirements/qualifications under 38 CFR 3.350 [Special monthly compensation ratings]. Also reference 38 CFR 3.155(d)(2).  

3. This disease shall be granted service connection as a result of service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Gulf War as defined in 38 CFR 3.317(e) or Afghanistan on or after September 19, 2001 and the disease becomes manifest to a compensable degree within one ear of the date of separation from a qualified period of service as defined in 38 CFR 3.317 (c)(3)(ii). 

As active disease rate as 100%, thereafter rate residuals such as liver or spleen damage or meningitis under the appropriate system [38 CFR §4.88 (b) Schedule of ratings-infectious diseases, immune disorders and nutritional deficiencies].