If you come into contact with Brucella, what is the protocol that follows?

• A. 7 days of post-exposure observation
• B. 14 days of quarantine
• C. 21 days of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) + 6 months of symptom watch
• D. 12 weeks of vaccination

Answer: (C)

Exposure to Brucella requires a post-exposure management plan because brucellosis can develop after exposure and may present weeks to months later. The best-supported approach here is a three-week course of post-exposure prophylaxis followed by six months of symptom monitoring. This combination aims to reduce the chance of developing disease immediately after exposure and to catch any late onset symptoms early, since brucellosis can have a long and sometimes relapsing course.

In practice, post-exposure prophylaxis often involves antibiotics such as doxycycline (with or without rifampin) for the short prophylactic window, though the exact regimen can vary by guideline and setting. There is no human vaccine for Brucella, so vaccination isn’t part of the protocol, and quarantine isn’t the standard management after exposure. Short observation alone wouldn’t adequately cover the potential incubation period or late presentations.