Father, Son Test Positive For Brucellosis In Kerala: All You Need To Know About the Rare Zoomatic Infection

A father and son from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala have tested positive for Brucellosis disease, a rare zoonotic infection that mostly affects animals including cattle, goats, sheep and dogs.

The father and son, both cattle farmers tested positive for Brucellosis on Monday after they sought treatment with fever-like symptoms.

BCCL

How brucellosis infection was identified

The duo had fever for a few days but it did not subside despite medical attention.

A detailed medical test revealed both were found to be positive for brucellosis disease.

According to the authorities, while the son has recovered, the father is still under treatment at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College hospital.

Following the incident, the animal husbandry and the health departments have been put on high alert in the area.

WOAH

What is brucellosis

Brucellosis is a bacterial infection, and human beings can get affected by infected animals or animal products contaminated with the bacteria.

According to the US CDC, the most common way to be infected is by eating or drinking unpasteurised or raw dairy products. When sheep, goats, cows, or camels are infected, their milk becomes contaminated with the bacteria.

Who can be affected by brucellosis

According to the WHO, Brucellosis is found globally and is a reportable disease in most countries and affects people of all ages and sexes.

Worldwide, Brucella melitensis is the most prevalent species causing human brucellosis, owing in part to difficulties in immunizing free-ranging goats and sheep.

BCCL

The bacteria can also enter wounds in the skin or mucous membranes through contact with infected animals.

What are symptoms of brucellosis

People with brucellosis do have a fever, headaches, back pains, and physical weakness and in some cases, it affects other organs.

Brucellosis is very unlikely to be spread from person to person, except for extremely rare cases of infants getting bacteria from their infected mothers through breast-feeding.

What is the treatment for brucellosis

Brucellosis infection can be treated with some strong antibiotics.

But, depending on the timing of treatment and severity of illness, recovery may take a few weeks to several months. Death from brucellosis is rare, occurring in no more than 2% of all cases.

For more on the news, sports, and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.