Changing epidemiology of human brucellosis, Germany, 1962-2005.
Trends in the epidemiology of human brucellosis in Germany were investigated by analyzing national surveillance data (1962-2005) complemented by a questionnaire-based survey (1995-2000). After a steady decrease in brucellosis incidence from 1962 to the 1980s, a persistent number of cases has been reported in recent years, with the highest incidence in Turkish immigrants (0.3/100,000 Turks vs. 0.01/100,000 in the German population; incidence rate ratio 29). Among cases with reported exposure risks, 59% were related to the consumption of unpasteurized cheese from brucellosis-endemic countries. The mean diagnostic delay was 2.5 months. Case fatality rates increased from 0.4% (1978-1981) to a maximum of 6.5% (1998-2001). The epidemiology of brucellosis in Germany has evolved from an endemic occupational disease among the German population into a travel-associated foodborne zoonosis, primarily affecting Turkish immigrants. Prolonged diagnostic delays and high case fatality call for targeted public health measures.
Al Dahouk
Sascha
S
Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen University, Aachen, Germany. sascha.al-dahouk@gmx.de
Neubauer
Heinrich
H
Hensel
Andreas
A
Schöneberg
Irene
I
Nöckler
Karsten
K
Alpers
Katharina
K
Merzenich
Hiltrud
H
Stark
Klaus
K
Jansen
Andreas
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors