Brucellosis

How do animals get infected?

• Breeding naturally with infected animals
• Ingesting feed or water contaminated with brucella

How would I know my livestock have the disease?

Infected animals may show the following signs

• Late term abortion is the main sign
• Stillbirths and retained afterbirth
• Reduced milk production
• Testes become swollen and may later shrink leading to infertility
• Infertility in females

Laboratory test to confirm the disease is recommended

How serious is brucellosis?

• Disease can spread rapidly within the herd
• Brucellosis can be transmitted to humans
• Disease affect productivity of livestock and humans

Is there cure?

There are no known effective cure and prevention is the better option.

What are the prevention measures?

• Source animals from brucellosis free herds
• Animals should be screened regularly for brucellosis
• Breeding stock should be screened every six months
• Animals proved positive should be slaughtered under the supervision of veterinary authority
• Use artificial insemination (AI) services
• Newly acquired animals should be quarantined for 30 days and rested before they join the herd

In humans, who is likely to get infected?

Animal health service providers:

• AI service provision
• during vaccinations
• laboratory sample analysis
• assisted delivery
• meat inspection
• slaughterhouse workers
• animal transporters and others who directly work with animals
• raw milk handlers

How do I get infected?

Humans to human transmission is rare; mostly the disease is derived from infected animals through:

• Splashes or aerosols of infectious material into eyes, nose and mouth
• Inhaling infectious materials
• Consuming contaminated un-boiled or unpasteurized milk, raw blood and meat
• Contact with contaminated material through open skin

How would I know I have brucellosis?

The following are the signs of brucellosis

• Intermittent fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Joint and back pains
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Abdominal pain
• Swollen and painful testes

What measures do I need to take to avoid getting infected?

• Use protective clothing when handling aborted fetus or placenta
• Avoid contact with infected animals
• Drink boiled or pasteurized milk
• Cook blood and meat before eating
• Avoid eating, drinking or smoking while handling animals or raw animal products
• Bury dead fetuses and carcasses at least 4 feet below the ground level
• Disinfect or thoroughly wash hands with soap and water after handling infected animal or animal material