A Missionary from Sudan: Brucellosis

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by a fastidious Gram-negative bacteria. Most commonly, it is transmitted from the consumption of unpasteurized dairy products and rarely from human to human. Endemic areas include Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East, and Central and South Americas. Symptoms are often nonspecific including fever, fatigue, and decreased appetite. Brucella poses a real danger to lab personnel if not notified by the suspecting physician. Both the health of the patient and laboratory staff is at risk1.