Brucellosis epidemiology and demographics

The incidence of brucellosis is estimated to vary from 0.01 to 200 per 100,000 individuals in endemic countries. The case fatality rate of brucellosis is less than 2% when untreated. The majority of disease is reported in Mediterranean basin, South and Central America, Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and the Middle East. Patients of age group 20 and 45 years are affected. Men are more affected then women.

Epidemiology and Demographics of Brucellosis include:^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

• The incidence in different endemic countries varies between 0.01 and 200 per 100,000 individuals.
• The low incidence reported in known Brucellosis-endemic areas may reflect low levels of surveillance and reporting.^[3]

• The case fatality rate of brucellosis is less than 2% when untreated.^[4]

Developed countries like the Unites States (0.02-0.09/100,000), Italy (1.40/100,000), Germany (0.03/100,000) and Greece (4.00/100,00) with strict pasteurization laws, animal control/slaughter regulations and brucellosis surveillance programs have reported low incidence of brucellosis.^[6]

Developing countries like Iraq (53.29-268.81/100,000), Iran (0.73-141.60/100,000), Jordon (25.70-130/100,000), Kyrgyzstan (88/100,000) and Mexico (26.60/100,000) due to lack of strict pasteurization laws, animal control/slaughter regulations and brucellosis surveillance programs have reported much higher incidence of brucellosis.^[6]

• Brucellosis most commonly affects individuals 20 and 45 years old.^[5]

• Men are more commonly affected with Brucellosis than women.^[5]

• There is no racial predilection to Brucellosis.