Brucellosis
Disease Name: Brucellosis
Species Affected:
Bovine, Porcine, Ovine, Equine, Caprine and Canine.
About the Disease:
Brucellosis is a sub-acute or chronic bacterial disease of domestic animals and is a highly
contagious zoonotic disease that causes placentitis and abortion, which may affect many species of
animals and in human the disease is an occupational one. The disease is also known as Bang’s
disease, Contagious abortion or Undulant fever. Brucellosis in India is a very common problem
but often neglected disease as there is no any Control Programme of the disease as such.The
disease has also become one of most economically important livestock diseases in India. This
disease is an OIE Reportable Disease as in the Multiple Species Disease Category.
Animals Affected:
Cattle, Buffalo, Sheep, Goat, Pig, Equine and Dogs.
Cause: The disease is caused by Brucella species and important species are;
1. Brucella abortus in Cattle & buffalo,
2. Brucella melintensis in sheep and goat,
3. Brucella canis in dog,
4. Brucella suis in pigs.
5. Brucella equi in Horse, donkey and Mules.
All the species of Brucella are relatively specific for individual species of animals. There has
been frequent report of the incidence of the disease in India. The disease has also become one of
the economically important livestock diseases in India and also important zoonotic diseases.
Source of infection:
The major source of infection of this disease is contact with affected or carrier animals carrying
Brucella bacteria. Semen from infected or carrier animals also spreads the disease through
natural or Artificial insemination. The disease is a sexually transmitted disease and other means
on transmission includes ingestion, inhalation of contaminated secretions and excretions of an
infected animal in a herd. Ingestion of unsterilized milk or meat from infected animals or close
contact with their secretions also spread the disease. Mechanical factors may also play important
role in transmission of the disease.
Symptoms:
Usually infected animals may not show any visible symptoms as the infected animals normally
feed and perform other physiological functions. However, pregnant animals usually abort the
foetus at the terminal stage of pregnancy with retained placenta or may show mummification.
Classical Acute brucellosis may exhibit mild flu-like symptoms, or symptoms such as:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Abdominal pain
Back pain
Chills
Excessive sweating
Fatigue
Fever
Headache
Joint pain
Loss of appetite
Weakness
Weight loss
Epididymitis and orchitis in the male
The clinical symptoms of the disease are not visible as the infected animals are quite eating
normally and do not exhibit any symptoms except abortion in late pregnancy. The most common
clinical signs of cattle infected with Brucella abortus are high incidences of abortions, arthritic
joints and retained placenta after-birth.
Control and Management:
Animal brucellosis is best prevented by careful herd management, hygiene and including
vaccination. The following points should be noted:
1. Eradication can only be achieved by test-and slaughter of infected animals combined
with effective prevention measures and control of animal movements.
2. Hygienic disposal of uterine discharges, foetus, foetal membranes etc.
3. Hygienic production of raw milk and pasteurization of milk for consumption.
4. Prevention is dependent upon increasing public awareness through health education
programmes and safe livestock practices.
5. Routine serological surveillance of the population.
6. Detecting infected animals and followed by culling and slaughtering method is the best
method for controls the infection at source.
7. Vaccination of Cattle and buffalo with Strain 19 Brucella Vaccine of all female calves at
the age of 4-6 month of age and all adult females of endemic area.
Vaccines:
Vaccination is useful for prevention and control of infection. B. abortus strain 19 is
recommended for prevention of bovine brucellosis. Vaccination of all calves between 4 and 6
months of age with strain 19 brucella – vaccine is recommended followed by annual or
vaccination at just after parturition.
Meteorological Occurrence:
Brucellosis is an important re-emerging zoonosis with a worldwide distribution.
Prepared by:
Dr. Peter N
JRF, NADRS, Manipur.
Disease Investigatory Laboratory
Directorate of Veterinary, & A.H. Services,
Manipur