Sheep disease, or brucellosis, can be transmitted from a person to a person, and rare cases of human-to-human transmission caused by blood transfusions, tissue transplants, breastfeeding, sexual contact, congenital transmission, and nosocomial infections have been reported. The most common mechanism of transmission of brucellosis to humans is: 1. ingestion of unpasteurized infected animal products. 2. Skin or mucous membrane contact with tissues (e.g., placenta or runoff) or body fluids (e.g., blood, urine, or milk) of infected animals. 3. Inhalation of infected aerosolized particulate matter. Ingestion of unpasteurized dairy products (especially raw milk, soft cheese, butter and ice cream) is the most common route of transmission. Because of fermentation, hard cheeses, yogurt and kefir are less harmful. Brucellosis is an occupational disease in the following groups of people: shepherds, abattoir workers, veterinarians, dairy processing industry professionals, and laboratory personnel (including those who handle brucella cultures and those who prepare brucellosis vaccines for animals). Human-to-human transmission of brucellosis remains relatively rare, and blood cultures and serologic testing should be performed on patients with suspected brucellosis.