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Gibraltar Fever is a term often used to refer to Brucellosis, a highly contagious zoonosis caused by ingestion of unpasteurized milk or undercooked meat from infected animals, or close contact with their secretions. It is also known as Mediterranean fever, Malta fever, and undulant fever.

Etiology

Gibraltar Fever is caused by various Brucella species, which are small, Gram-negative, nonmotile, nonspore-forming, rod-shaped (coccobacilli) bacteria. They are functionally aerobic, but can survive and multiply under anaerobic conditions.

Epidemiology

The disease is found worldwide, but is more common in countries that do not have effective public health and domestic animal health programs. Areas of high incidence include the Mediterranean Basin, South and Central America, Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East.

Clinical Features

The symptoms of Gibraltar Fever can be variable but often include fever, sweats, malaise, anorexia, headache, pain in muscles, joint, and/or back, and fatigue. Some signs and symptoms may persist for longer periods. In chronic cases, symptoms include recurrent fever, joint pain, and fatigue.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Gibraltar Fever is made by growing the bacteria from samples of blood, bone marrow or other body fluids. Serological tests, like the Rose Bengal Plate Test, Standard Tube Agglutination Test, and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), are also used.

Treatment

Treatment for Gibraltar Fever is with antibiotics. The most common regimen is a combination of doxycycline and rifampin for six weeks.

Prevention

Prevention of Gibraltar Fever primarily involves vaccination of domestic animals and pasteurization of dairy products. In addition, education about the disease and promoting safe handling of animals can also help in prevention.