Laboratory-Acquired Brucella Infection and S2 Vaccine infection Events in China

We report 10 laboratory-acquired Brucella infection cases and two S2 vaccine outbreak infection events during 2006-2016. Most laboratory-acquired Brucella infections were found in southern China, an emerging area of brucellosis. Microbiologists had a higher risk of laboratory-acquired Brucella infections, and the identification and handling of samples suspected of Brucella infection without recommended biosafety protection was the main reason for the infection. However, the S2 vaccine outbreak infection events were mainly observed in northern China, historically an area of human and animal brucellosis. The majority of infection cases were found among grassroot veterinarians and workers in animal vaccine production. Therefore, we suggest that identified suspected strains in biosafety facilities (BSL-3 and BSC) and abide biosafety practices are compulsory in southern, moreover, strengthening the preventive awareness of the clinical laboratory staff and physicians. In contrast, improving personal protection and launch biosafety education to high-risk of population exposure to S2 vaccine in northern is recommended.