Foodborne outbreak of human brucellosis caused by ingested raw materials of fetal calf on Jeju Island.

Since the first reported case of human brucellosis in 2002 in South Korea, its incidence has been increasing nationally. However, bovine brucellosis has not been present from 2005 to date on Jeju Island. Despite Jeju Island being considered a clean area for bovine brucellosis, we experienced an outbreak of human brucellosis between 2012 and 2013. Herein, we report cases with human brucellosis after ingestion of raw materials of fetal calf at a restaurant. Patients were identified by isolation of the Brucella abortus in their blood and joint tissue. Because all patients developed zoonosis by a faulty folk remedy, we emphasize the importance of educational programs to increase the awareness of zoonosis, and the need for active surveillance and detection of illegal distribution channels of the infected animal. After the outbreak, we took control of the involved restaurant and its illegal distribution channel, and there have been no further outbreaks.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids: a word of caution

Most plant bearing pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are toxic to men and animals. These natural products are recognized to be hepatotoxic, pneumotoxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic. Thus, the presence of toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids in certain medicinal plants entails a serious health risk. Moreover, people are exposed to undetermined toxicity hazards of pyrrolizidine alkaloid-containing plants due to the consumption of milk and meat from chronically PA-poisoned animals and honey from wild bees. Symphytum officinale (comfrey) has been used freely as tea, topical cream, salad and beverage. This is a clear and actual example of how lack of knowledge about chemistry and toxicology of a plant made easy its spreading in the consumer society as beneficial and safe.