Prevention

The best way to prevent brucellosis infection is to be sure you do not consume:

• undercooked meat
• unpasteurized dairy products, including:
  • milk
  • cheese
  • ice cream

Pasteurization is when raw milk is heated to a high temperature for a short period of time. This heating process destroys harmful bacteria that may make the milk unsafe to consume.

If you are not sure that the dairy product is pasteurized, do not eat it.

People who handle animal tissues (such as hunters and animal herdsman) should protect themselves by using:

• rubber gloves
• goggles
• gowns or aprons

This will help ensure that bacteria from potentially infected animals do not get into eyes or inside a cut or abrasion on the skin.