Brucellosis Risk from Raw Milk – 2025 Veterinary Health Alert 🥛🦠

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Introduction

Despite its natural image, raw milk can carry serious risks. In 2025, brucellosis—an infectious bacterial disease—has reappeared in cases linked to raw milk consumption. While pasteurization nearly eliminated this threat decades ago, renewed interest in “natural” dairy is bringing it back. This guide by Dr Duncan Houston explains how brucellosis spreads, its impact on humans and animals, and why raw milk should be avoided.

What Is Brucellosis? 🧬

Brucellosis is caused by bacteria from the genus Brucella, which infect various animals and can jump to humans. In livestock, it spreads via:

• Milk (especially raw and unpasteurized)
• Fetal fluids or tissues at birth or miscarriage
• Contact with infected animals or contaminated farm equipment

Animal Hosts 🐄🐐🐖🐴

Brucella abortus affects cattle, while Brucella melitensis and Brucella suis target goats, sheep, and pigs. Other key facts:

• Horses may develop fistulous withers—painful, draining abscesses near the spine
• Dogs can suffer spinal infections (discospondylitis)
• Wildlife may harbor brucellosis, acting as reservoirs

Transmission to Humans 🧍

Human brucellosis, also known as undulant fever, occurs through:

• Drinking raw milk or eating unpasteurized dairy products
• Handling infected animals or birthing tissues
• Inhalation (e.g., in lab or slaughterhouse environments)

Symptoms in People 🤒

Brucellosis can cause persistent, flu-like symptoms that return in waves—hence “undulant”:

• Fever and chills
• Muscle pain, fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Headache
• Joint pain or backache

Severe Complications

• Endocarditis (heart valve infection)
• Hepatosplenomegaly (enlarged liver and spleen)
• Meningitis or brain inflammation
• Miscarriage in pregnant women

Diagnosis & Treatment 🧪💊

Brucellosis is diagnosed via blood cultures and antibody tests. However, symptoms may mimic other illnesses—delaying treatment.

• Requires long-term antibiotics (e.g., doxycycline + rifampin)
• Treatment may last several weeks or months
• Without antibiotics, symptoms can linger for years

Recent Case in Texas

A man recently contracted brucellosis after consuming raw milk from a licensed dairy in Texas. While rare today due to livestock vaccination, outbreaks still occur in pockets. The key risk factor? Skipping pasteurization. Raw milk can legally be sold in some areas—but “licensed” doesn’t mean “risk-free.”

Raw Milk: Myths vs. Facts

Why Pasteurization Matters 🔥🥛

Pasteurization involves heating milk to 63–72 °C (145–161 °F) for a short time—killing harmful microbes without harming nutrition.

• Kills Brucella, Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter, and E. coli
• Extends shelf life and improves safety for children, elderly, and pregnant individuals

Risks to Pets 🐕🐈

Feeding raw milk or meat to pets may expose them—and your household—to Brucella. Pets can contract spinal infections or become asymptomatic carriers. Stick to cooked or vet-approved commercial diets.

Fistulous Withers in Horses 🐴

• Infection with Brucella spp. can cause deep abscesses at the withers or poll
• Painful, difficult to treat—may require draining and long-term antibiotics
• Horses may contract the bacteria through contact with contaminated cattle fluids or tack

Global Eradication Efforts 🌎

• Texas and many other U.S. states have near-eradicated brucellosis in cattle due to testing and vaccination programs
• However, wildlife and raw milk remain occasional reservoirs of disease
• Unpasteurized dairy undermines decades of eradication work

Vet Recommendations in 2025 ✅

• Do not consume or feed raw milk—risk outweighs benefit
• Source dairy from pasteurized producers
• Vaccinate livestock if advised in your region
• Report undulant fever signs in yourself, your animals, or your farm

FAQs About Brucellosis

Can brucellosis be fatal?

Rarely fatal—but can be severely debilitating, chronic, and difficult to fully cure without early treatment.

Is raw milk ever safe?

No. Even licensed dairies cannot guarantee every batch is pathogen-free. Pasteurization is the only proven protection.

Is the disease contagious between humans?

Rarely. It primarily spreads via milk, blood, or fetal fluids—not casual contact.

Conclusion

Brucellosis is a serious zoonotic disease that’s resurging due to raw milk trends. The best protection in 2025? Avoid unpasteurized products—for your sake and your animals’. Pasteurization protects you, your horses, and your pets from lifelong consequences.

Concerned about zoonotic risks or raw milk exposure? Contact Ask A Vet via AskAVet.com or download the app 📱 to get guidance directly from Dr Duncan Houston and the veterinary team. 🩺