Brucellosis in a refugee who migrated from Syria to Germany and lessons learnt, 2016

Abstract

A teenage woman migrating from Syria arrived in May 2015 in Germany. She gave birth to a healthy child in early 2016, but became febrile shortly after delivery. Blood cultures revealed Brucella melitensis. In retrospect, she reported contact with sheep in Syria and recurrent pain in the hip joints over about five months before diagnosis of brucellosis. We discuss consequences for adequate treatment of mother and child as well as for clinical and laboratory management.

Keywords: Brucella; biosafety; brucellosis; clinic; emerging or re-emerging diseases; refugee.