A cluster of Brucella melitensis in Melbourne, Australia 2023: clinical and public health actions

Authors

  • Manogna Metlapalli Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Vic 3186
  • Fiona Clarke 1. Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash Health, Clayton, Australia
  • Anna B Pierce Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash Health, Clayton, Australia; South East Public Health Unit, Monash Health, Clayton, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital, Australia
  • Norelle L Sherry 5. Microbiological Diagnostic Unit, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases & Immunology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
  • Jake A Lacey Microbiological Diagnostic Unit, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
  • Edura Jalil South East Public Health Unit, Monash Health, Clayton, Australia
  • Aswan Tai South East Public Health Unit, Monash Health, Clayton, Australia
  • Christian McGrath Community and Public Health Division, Department of Health Victoria, Australia
  • Tony Korman Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash Health, Clayton, Australia; Department of Microbiology Monash Health, Clayton, Australia
  • James H McMahon Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash Health, Clayton, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital, Australia
  • Rhonda L Stuart Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash Health, Clayton, Australia; South East Public Health Unit, Monash Health, Clayton, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2025.49.015

Keywords:

Brucellosis, Brucella melitensis, Victoria, australia

Abstract

Brucellosis is a rare zoonotic infection most commonly seen in parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Infections in Australia are uncommon and occur predominantly in Queensland and New South Wales due to exposure to Brucella suis through wild pig hunting activities. We describe a clustering of two cases of brucellosis in Victoria confirmed by genomic analysis but with no identified exposure. We detail the medical management, laboratory confirmation, and the public health investigation. While the source of the outbreak remains unclear, the two cases demonstrate a detailed and coordinated public health response to a rare infection with a unique geographical and temporal relationship.

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Published

25/03/25

How to Cite

Metlapalli, Manogna, Fiona Clarke, Anna B Pierce, Norelle L Sherry, Jake A Lacey, Edura Jalil, Aswan Tai, et al. 2025. “A Cluster of Brucella Melitensis in Melbourne, Australia 2023: Clinical and Public Health Actions”. Communicable Diseases Intelligence 49 (March). https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2025.49.015.

Issue

Vol. 49 (2025)

Section

Original article

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