Brucellosis disease

• A seven-year-old Kadakkal Kummil native was affected by the contagious Brucellosis disease mostly found in cattle breeds.

ABOUT BRUCELLOSIS DISEASE

• It is a bacterial disease caused by various Brucella species, which mainly infect cattle, swine, goats, sheep and dogs.
• It spreads from animals to people. But person-to-person transmission is rare.
• It is also known as Malta fever or Mediterranean fever.
• Brucellosis is endemic in India causing huge economic losses to dairy industry due to Infertility, abortion, birth of weak off springs, reduced productivity etc.
• Humans can get infected under if they
  • Directly contact with infected animals
  • Eat or drink contaminated animal products
  • Inhaling airborne agents carrying bacteria.
• Worldwide, Brucella melitensis is the most prevalent species causing human brucellosis.
• Symptoms: Brucellosis typically causes flu-like symptoms, including fever, weakness, malaise and weight loss.
• It is usually treated with antibiotics, including rifampin and doxycycline.
• To control the disease, the WHO recommends the vaccination of cattle and, in some cases, testing and culling.