Associate Safety Professional Practice Exam

What is one way that brucellosis can be transmitted?

1. Inhalation of infected air

2. Contact with infected animals

3. Consumption of contaminated water

4. Treatment by infected person

The correct answer is: Contact with infected animals

Brucellosis is primarily a zoonotic disease, meaning it is primarily transmitted from animals to humans. One significant method of transmission is through direct contact with infected animals, particularly livestock such as cattle, goats, sheep, and dogs. This can occur during the handling of animals, during birthing processes, or through exposure to their bodily fluids or tissues. The bacteria that cause brucellosis, such as Brucella abortus, can enter the human body through cuts in the skin or mucous membranes, leading to infection. While other transmission routes exist, such as the consumption of unpasteurized dairy products from infected animals, the direct contact with infected animals is a well-known and notable way that this disease spreads. Understanding this mechanism of transmission is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies, especially for those who work closely with animals or in environments where exposure to them is likely.