Brucellosis Brucellosis Brucellosis is a highly contagious zoonosis caused by ingestion of unpasteurized milk or undercooked meat from infected animals, or close contact with their secretions. It is also known as undulant fever, Malta fever and Mediterranean fever. "Brucella" species are small, gram-negative, nonmotile, nonspore-forming, rod-shaped (coccobacilli) bacteria. They function as facultative intracellular parasites, causing chronic disease, which usually persists for life. Four species infect humans: "B. abortus", "B. canis", "B. melitensis", and "B. suis". "B. abortus" is less virulent than "B. melitensis" and is primarily a disease of cattle. "B. canis" affects dogs. "B. melitensis" is the most virulent and
Human milk bank bank in the US. The 1960’s saw a decline in milk banking because of recent advances in neonatal care and baby formula. Despite these new advancements, in 1980 the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s fund maintained their position that donor breast milk is the best alternative to the mother’s breast milk. The practice of milk banking declined further with the HIV epidemic. The need for stringent screening increased the cost of operating milk banks, forcing them to close doors. Improved screening methods and standardization of procedure have made donated milk a viable alternative to mother’s breast milk.