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AIRBORNE SPREAD OF BRUCELLOSIS
Author(s) -
Kaufmann Arnold F.,
Fox Marshall D.,
Boyce John M.,
Anderson Daniel C.,
Potter Morris E.,
Martone William J.,
Patton Charlotte M.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1980.tb18912.x
Subject(s) - atlanta , epidemiology , disease control , gerontology , medicine , environmental health , pathology , metropolitan area
review of epidemic and endemic brucellosis at six abattoirs demonstrates a correlation between case distribution and flow of air from the kill department (stage II) to other areas within an abattoir. Air from the kill department disseminated to nearby departments led to abnormally high brucellosis attack rates for persons who worked in these areas at two abattoirs. Complete physical separation or maintaining negative air pressure in the kill department was associated with reduced risk for workers in other areas at four abattoirs. Cases in persons who had exposure to kill department air but no contact with animal tissues provide strong evidence for airborne transmission of infection. Brucellosis is also contracted through skin contact with infectious animal tissues, but this route of transmission appears less important than formerly believed.