Brucellosis is a bacterial disease caused by Brucella, typically transmitted to humans from infected unpasteurized animal milk, or direct contact from an infected animal. It causes a systemic illness including fever and inflammation of the brain, testicles, and heart. Human to human transmission is rare and documented to have occurred via sexual contact, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.

While the US Centers for Disease Control recommends disrupting lactation with an untreated infection, Brucellosis transmission through human milk is exceedingly rare with less than 10 case reports in the last 50 years based on one systematic review of the literature. Of the 7 cases identified in breastfeeding infants, 2 milk cultures were positive for Brucella and the remainder could not be definitively linked to human milk transmission.¹ By the time the parent is diagnosed with this condition, the infant has already been exposed and there is no absolute need to interrupt breastfeeding or the use of the parent’s milk.²

While lactating parents should be engaged in shared decision making, there is no absolute indication to pump and dump with this rare infectious disease. For more information about Brucella mastitis, see the section on Mastitis. Consult with local infectious disease specialists to further discuss management of this infection.