Most brucellosis cases in the United States are attributed to which source?

• A. Contaminated beef products
• B. Pasteurized milk from the US
• C. Illegally imported unpasteurized dairy products from Mexico
• D. Imported pork products

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that human brucellosis in the United States is most often acquired from consuming unpasteurized dairy products that are imported illegally from other countries, particularly Mexico. Brucella bacteria can be present in raw milk and dairy products made from it, and pasteurization—standard in the US—kills the pathogen, reducing domestic cases. Because some illegally imported raw dairy products from Mexico reach consumers, they become the common source of infections. In contrast, pasteurized milk from the US is protective, beef products are not a typical source of brucellosis, and imported pork products are not a recognized common route.