Epidemiology of Human Brucellosis in Ferdows, Sarayan and Boshrooyeh Counties of Southern Khorasan Province in 2004 - 2005

Brucellosis is a bacterial zoonosis transmitted directly or indirectly to humans from infected animals. In this research, human cases of brucellosis in three counties of southern Khorasan province were studied from April 2004 until March 2005. In this prospective descriptive study, human cases with brucellosis symptoms and Wright titer ≥1/80 were investigated. 115 patients; 78 (67.8%) males and 37 (32.2%) females included in the study. The incidence rate was 113.2 in 100,000. 80.9% had worked with animals and/or in farms, and 89.6% reported a history of unpasteurized milk and diary products consumption. The most common symptom and sign were arthralgia (77.4%) and fever (86.1%). Incidence rate of brucellosis in this area is higher than other sites of Iran. For disease control, close cooperation of health and veterinary organizations is necessary.