NIH

Zebra of the Week: Brucellosis

November 24, 2025

Brucellosis is a bacterial infection that spreads from animals to people via unpasteurized dairy products or by exposure to contaminated animal products or infected animals. Animals that are most commonly infected include sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, and dogs. Initial symptoms may include fever, sweats, malaise, anorexia, headache, fatigue, and/or pain in the muscles, joints, and/or back. Symptoms that may persist or recur include fevers, arthritis, orchitis, endocarditis, neurologic symptoms (in up to 5% of cases), chronic fatigue, depression, and/or hepatomegaly/splenomegaly. People who are in jobs or settings that increase exposure to the bacteria are at increased risk for infection.

Source:

(Accessed 2025, November 21). NIH: Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center. Brucellosis. https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/5966/brucellosis