News: Recently, an eight year-old girl from Kottakkal, Malappuram, Kerala, passed away after battling brucellosis for nearly two months.
About Brucellosis
- Brucellosis is a bacterial infection caused by various Brucella species.
- It primarily affects livestock, including cattle, swine, goats, sheep, and dogs.
- Humans get infected through direct contact with infected animals, consuming contaminated animal products, or inhaling airborne bacteria.
- The most common transmission occurs via unpasteurised milk or cheese from infected animals.
- Human-to-human transmission is extremely rare.
Symptoms of Brucellosis
- Common symptoms include: Fever, Weakness, Weight loss and General discomfort or malaise Symptoms can be mild and often go undiagnosed.
- The incubation period ranges from one week to two months, but typically lasts two to four weeks.
- People working with animals are at higher risk, including: Farmers, Butchers, Hunters, Veterinarians and Laboratory personnel.
- Exposure to infected blood, placenta, foetuses, and uterine secretions increases the likelihood of infection.
Prevention Measures
- Vaccination of Livestock – Immunising cattle, goats, and sheep reduces the spread.
- Pasteurisation of Milk – Essential for direct consumption and dairy product manufacturing.
- Public Awareness – Educational campaigns to discourage the consumption of unpasteurized dairy products.
- Regulations on Dairy Sales – Policies ensuring milk and dairy products are pasteurized before sale.
