A recent outbreak in Guanajato reminds us that brucellosis remains a very common disease in Mexico. In fact, current rates are comparable to those of Greece, and similar to rates that existed in the United States during the 1930′s and 1940′s. See graph:

The following background data on brucellosis in Mexico are abstracted from Gideon

Time and Place:
- Highest rates are found in Queretaro, Coahuila, Guanajuanto, Nuevo Leon, Chicuahua, Jalisco, Tamaulipas and Michoacan.
- 163 fatal cases were reported during 1978 to 1982
- Mortality rates were 0.04 per 100,000 in 1992; 0.01 per 100,000 in 1996 .

Seroprevalence surveys:
3.42% nationwide, ranging from 0.24% in Morelos, to 13.5% in Mexico State (1992 publication)
0.71% of blood donors in northeastern Mexico (2009 publication)
0.238% of equines in Tamaulipas (Brucella abortus, 2006 publication)
9.8% of goats on farms (Brucella melitensis). (Michoacan, 2007 publication)

Infecting species:
- Brucella melitensis, B. abortus and B. canis are found in Mexico.
- The predominant species is Brucella melitensis. (1968 to 1991)

Reservoirs:
- The caprine seropositivity rate was 20.7% in 1947.
- Highest rates of caprine disease are reported in Coahuila, Chihuahua, Jalisco and Zacatecas.
- Highest rates of bovine disease are reported in Chihuahua, Hidalgo and Guanajuato.
- 11.8% of stray dogs in Mexico City are infected by Brucella canis.

Vehicles:
- Most infections are acquired from unpasteurized milk, fresh cheese and other dairy products – primarily from goats (There are over 9 million goats in Mexico).
- More than 35% of cow milk is consumed unpasteurized – more than 85% of goat milk.

Update: Posted in ProMed

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