MALTA FEVER Meaning and
Definition
-
Malta Fever, also known as Mediterranean Fever or Brucellosis, is a bacterial infection caused by the bacteria Brucella melitensis. It is named after the Mediterranean island of Malta, where the disease was first identified in the late 19th century.
Malta Fever primarily affects animals, such as goats, sheep, and camels, but can also be transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals or consumption of unpasteurized milk or cheese products. It is considered a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted between animals and humans.
Upon infection, the bacteria can incubate in the body for a variable period of time, typically a couple of weeks to several months. The symptoms of Malta Fever may vary, but often include a flu-like illness with recurring fevers, sweats, fatigue, headache, joint and muscle pain, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, complications such as liver or spleen enlargement, inflammation of the heart lining or even neurological symptoms may occur.
Diagnosing Malta Fever can be challenging due to its nonspecific symptoms and the need for specialized laboratory testing. Treatment usually consists of a combination of antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare professional, such as doxycycline and rifampin. Early detection and treatment are important to prevent chronic symptoms or the spread of the infection to other individuals.
To prevent Malta Fever, individuals are advised to practice good hygiene, avoid consuming unpasteurized dairy products, and take appropriate precautions when in contact with potentially infected animals.
-
• Rock fever, Mediterranean fever, Gibraltar fever, Neapolitan fever, undulant fever.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for MALTA FEVER
- nalta fever
- kalta fever
- jalta fever
- mzlta fever
- mslta fever
- mwlta fever
- mqlta fever
- makta fever
- mapta fever
- maota fever
- malra fever
- malfa fever
- malga fever
- malya fever
- mal6a fever
- mal5a fever
- maltz fever
- malts fever
- maltw fever
Etymology of MALTA FEVER
The word "Malta Fever" has its etymology rooted in the history of the Mediterranean island of Malta, where the disease was first identified.
The scientific name for Malta Fever is brucellosis, a bacterial infection caused by various species of the Brucella genus. In the late 19th century, this disease was endemic in Malta, particularly affecting the local farming community.
Malta was under British colonial rule during this time, and many British soldiers stationed on the island were also afflicted by the disease. In 1897, British physician Sir David Bruce, while serving in Malta, made a significant breakthrough by isolating and identifying the causative agent of Malta Fever—a bacterium later named Brucella melitensis.
Due to its close association with the island, the disease became commonly known as "Malta Fever".
