Epidemiological Study of Malta Fever (Brucellosis) in Northeastern Iran from 2016 to 2024

Control measures for infectious diseases based on evidence require health policymakers to have a solid understanding of the epidemiology surrounding these diseases.

The current study aimed to assess the epidemiological status of Malta fever.

This study is of the secondary data analysis type, which was conducted using the recorded data of patients with brucellosis in the health center of Torbat Heydarieh City (northeastern Iran) from 2016 to 2024. Data related to 2024 cases of brucellosis were analyzed using R software and Chi-2, Pearson, and independent t-statistical tests.

The average age of patients suffering from Malta fever during the years under review was 37.64 years. The average frequency of the disease was 65.35 cases per hundred thousand people. 92% of patients lived in villages and 7.4% lived in cities. In terms of occupation, most cases of the disease were related to housewives (35.4%) and then to cattle farmers (34.95%). 88% of infected people had a history of contact with animals and 18% of people reported a history of the disease in other family members. 86% of infected people had a history of consuming non-pasteurized dairy products.

The findings underscore the importance of a multifaceted approach to preventing and controlling brucellosis. This includes targeted interventions in rural areas, improved hygiene and sanitation practices in high-risk settings, and education on proper dairy product handling and consumption. Monitoring and evaluating control measures are essential to ensure their effectiveness and adapt to changing trends and risk factors.