China Brucellosis outbreak

Brucellosis, also known as Malta fever has recently affected thousands of people in Northwest of China. It has been caused due to an outbreak caused by a leak at a biopharmaceutical company last year. The disease, also known as Malta fever or Mediterranean fever, can cause symptoms including headaches, muscle pain, fever and fatigue. This type of fever causes impotence in men. Brucellosis bacteria have been found so far in 3,245 people in Lanzhou, China. The disease does not occur from one person to another, but is caused by eating the flesh of an infected animal.

The disease is generally caused buy direct contact with livestock carrying the bacteria called brucella .

What is brucellosis?

• Brucellosis is a disease caused by bacteria that can affect both humans and animals.
• This disease is spread by eating contaminated food, such as raw meat.
• The bacteria that cause brucellosis are called “Brucella” and can also spread through exposure to air or an open wound.

Why does brucellosis occur?

• If a person comes in contact with an animal infected with bacteria or a product from animals, they may develop brucellosis.
• In some cases, this disease can be from a breastfeeding woman to her children, apart from this, sexual intercourse can also spread this disease.

What are the symptoms of brucellosis?

• The symptoms of loss of appetite, weight loss, back pain, fever, lethargy, abdominal pain and headache are experienced when brucellosis occurs.
• If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms and you have come in contact with an animal that may have brucellosis, go to your doctor.

How is brucellosis treated?

• Urine culture, blood culture and the fluid present in the spinal cord and brain are examined for diagnosis of brucellosis.
• Once the disease is confirmed, doctors can give antibiotics for it.
• Depending on the time of treatment and the severity of the disease, it may take a few weeks to months to recover.
• In very rare cases a person dies from brucellosis.

UPSC