1917 Research in the disease brucellosis and its relationship to fresh, unpasteurized milk.

Evans became interested in the disease brucellosis and its relationship to fresh, unpasteurized milk. She discovered that the microbe thrived in infected cows as well as animals that appeared healthy. The reports hypothesized that since the bacteria was found in cow's milk, a threat to human health was likely. She wondered whether the disease in cows could be the cause of undulant fever in humans. She warned that raw milk should be pasteurized to protect people from various diseases. She reported her findings to the Society of American Bacteriologists in 1917 and published her work in the Journal of Infectious Diseases in 1918. She was met with skepticism, particularly because she was a woman and did not have a Ph.D. Eventually, Brucella was confirmed as the disease that caused what was then known as undulant fever and Malta fever. Evans's findings led to the pasteurization of milk in 1930. As a result, the incidence of brucellosis in the United States was significantly reduced.

none

Category:
Food Sciences - Milk Pasterization

Completion Status:
yes

Patent Number:
N/A

Co-Inventor:
none