Brucellosis- The animal fever that attacks humans
VETERINARY experts have warned of the fever known as ‘brucellosis’ in animals, which has become rampant in human beings. <br>
By Jeff Lule
VETERINARY experts have warned of the fever known as ‘brucellosis’ in animals, which has become rampant in human beings.
Experts say brucellosis is a contagious disease common in wild and domestic animals. The disease which was initially common in cows, pigs, sheep, goats, buffaloes and kobs is now rampant among communities living around national parks and in the cattle corridors in many parts of the country.
Dr Sam Okech, the president of Uganda Veterinary Association, says the disease is hard to detect because many people mistake it for malaria as the two exhibit almost similar symptoms.
“The disease is common among our cattle-rearing communities. Many people do not vaccinate their animals. That’s why it has become so rampant,†Okech says.
Transmission to humans
Prof John Kabasa, the dean faculty of veterinary medicine at Makerere University, says humans contract brucellosis when they get exposed to an infected animal.
The bacteria gain access to the body through the mouth, nose, eyes or breaks in the skin.
“One can get infected through drinking non-pasteurised milk or careless handling of blood, urine, vaginal discharge, aborted foetuses and placentas of infected animals,†Kasaba says.
Touching infected carcasses and taking products made from raw milk can also lead to brucellosis, he adds. People who work in abattoirs or farms are more at risk of contracting the disease.
Kasaba says many veterinarians have contracted the disease due to handling animals without protective gear.
Symptoms
Kasaba says the disease has two phases; the acute and chronic stage.
In the acute stage, the infected person experiences fever which keeps fluctuating. It is at this stage when the infection is called undulant fever because of its malaria-like symptoms.
“When the infection progresses to the chronic stage, the patient gets flu-like symptoms, weight loss, constipation, fatigue and body aches. At this point, the fever can last years which might lead to serious health complications,†he explains.
Brucellosis can incubate in an infected person for a couple of weeks or several months. The brucellosis bacteria attack the liver, spleen and bone marrow, making the person weak.
Treatment
Dr. Michael Kansiime, the veterinary coordinator Conservation through Public Health, says brucellosis is not transmitted from person to person and advises people to always seek medical help once they feel the symptoms or suspect their animals have been infected.
“Blood tests are usually required to diagnose the disease,†Kansiime says.
He adds that doctors are able to diagnose the infection based on the clinical symptoms and blood tests.
He adds that brucellosis can be treated with the use of antibiotics which are taken for three weeks or longer.
Treatment may cost between sh300,000 and sh500,000.
“The challenge is a relapse of the disease. If it comes three times, the treatment cost will triple. Sometimes it can recur if not properly diagnosed,†he says.
Tests done by the University of Edinburgh on human brucellosis in urban and peri urban areas of Kampala, found 652 positive cases.
Prevention
Okech warns people to carefully handle their animals to avoid the infections.
“If you are assisting a heifer to give birth, wear disposable rubber gloves. The gloves must be thoroughly disinfected and washed in warm soapy water,†he says.
Any aborted animal foetuses should be burned or buried.
He advises people to invite veterinary officers to inspect animals before slaughter and also carry out vaccination to control the spread.
“The meat from infected animals is safe if well cooked. People should drink pasteurised milk to reduce the risk of infection,†Okech says.
VETERINARY experts have warned of the fever known as ‘brucellosis’ in animals, which has become rampant in human beings.
Experts say brucellosis is a contagious disease common in wild and domestic animals. The disease which was initially common in cows, pigs, sheep, goats, buffaloes and kobs is now rampant among communities living around national parks and in the cattle corridors in many parts of the country.
Dr Sam Okech, the president of Uganda Veterinary Association, says the disease is hard to detect because many people mistake it for malaria as the two exhibit almost similar symptoms.
“The disease is common among our cattle-rearing communities. Many people do not vaccinate their animals. That’s why it has become so rampant,†Okech says.
Transmission to humans
Prof John Kabasa, the dean faculty of veterinary medicine at Makerere University, says humans contract brucellosis when they get exposed to an infected animal.
The bacteria gain access to the body through the mouth, nose, eyes or breaks in the skin.
“One can get infected through drinking non-pasteurised milk or careless handling of blood, urine, vaginal discharge, aborted foetuses and placentas of infected animals,†Kasaba says.
Touching infected carcasses and taking products made from raw milk can also lead to brucellosis, he adds. People who work in abattoirs or farms are more at risk of contracting the disease.
Kasaba says many veterinarians have contracted the disease due to handling animals without protective gear.
Symptoms
Kasaba says the disease has two phases; the acute and chronic stage.
In the acute stage, the infected person experiences fever which keeps fluctuating. It is at this stage when the infection is called undulant fever because of its malaria-like symptoms.
“When the infection progresses to the chronic stage, the patient gets flu-like symptoms, weight loss, constipation, fatigue and body aches. At this point, the fever can last years which might lead to serious health complications,†he explains.
Brucellosis can incubate in an infected person for a couple of weeks or several months. The brucellosis bacteria attack the liver, spleen and bone marrow, making the person weak.
Treatment
Dr. Michael Kansiime, the veterinary coordinator Conservation through Public Health, says brucellosis is not transmitted from person to person and advises people to always seek medical help once they feel the symptoms or suspect their animals have been infected.
“Blood tests are usually required to diagnose the disease,†Kansiime says.
He adds that doctors are able to diagnose the infection based on the clinical symptoms and blood tests.
He adds that brucellosis can be treated with the use of antibiotics which are taken for three weeks or longer.
Treatment may cost between sh300,000 and sh500,000.
“The challenge is a relapse of the disease. If it comes three times, the treatment cost will triple. Sometimes it can recur if not properly diagnosed,†he says.
Tests done by the University of Edinburgh on human brucellosis in urban and peri urban areas of Kampala, found 652 positive cases.
Prevention
Okech warns people to carefully handle their animals to avoid the infections.
“If you are assisting a heifer to give birth, wear disposable rubber gloves. The gloves must be thoroughly disinfected and washed in warm soapy water,†he says.
Any aborted animal foetuses should be burned or buried.
He advises people to invite veterinary officers to inspect animals before slaughter and also carry out vaccination to control the spread.
“The meat from infected animals is safe if well cooked. People should drink pasteurised milk to reduce the risk of infection,†Okech says.