Epidemiologic characteristics of brucellosis in Qaen during 2015-2021

Brucellosis is the most common zoonosis and is a health issue in Iran. Considering this disease is endemic in Qaen, this study intended to investigate the epidemiologic characteristics of brucellosis during 2015-2021. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 421 brucellosis patients, based on the information from Qaen Health Center from 2015 to 2021. To describe the data, frequency, mean, and standard deviation indices and to analyze the data, Chi-square and T-test statistical tests were utilized using SPSS software version 21. The incidence rate was calculated based on 100,000 at-risk populations per year. The average incidence rate of brucellosis from 2015 to 2021 was 135 per 100,000. The highest incidence rate was 156 per 100,000 people in 2021, and the lowest was 20.58 per 100,000 in 2017. The mean age of brucellosis patients was 36.78 ± 19.85  years. The most frequent clinical symptoms were musculoskeletal pain in 317 cases (75.3%) and fever in 160 cases (38%). The consumption history of unpasteurized dairy products such as milk and cheese was 33% and 27%, respectively. Farmers and ranchers, with 239 cases (56.7%), and the rural living population, with 282 cases (67%), were the most frequent cases of brucellosis. The incidence rate of brucellosis in Qaen has an upward trend and is higher than the provincial and national averages. According to the latest national guidelines, this county is classified as a highly polluted region.