Covid brings focus on zoonotic diseases

Minna Zutshi

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 28

The suspected and speculated zoonotic origin of the Covid-19 pandemic has brought the focus on zoonotic diseases. A multi-institutional research on zoonotic diseases such as brucellosis is going on under the aegis of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) in Ludhiana.

According to Dr Jasbir Bedi, Assistant Professor at the School of Public Health and Zoonoses in GADVASU, brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that causes abortion, infertility, sterility and mastitis in animals. Humans in close contact with infected animals are at risk of developing brucellosis. The symptoms of brucella infection in humans include fever, chills, sweats, fatigue, myalgia, profound muscle weakness and anorexia.

Dairy workers, veterinarians, para-veterinarians, farmers and slaughterhouse workers are occupational groups at risk.

“Brucellosis is an infectious disease in which the infected animals can excrete high concentration of pathogen (bacteria) during abortion or even at the time of birth, or through milk, urine and semen. The infection can easily spread between animals through direct or indirect contact with infectious materials through skin or mucus membrane or orally due to ingestion of infectious materials or contaminated feed,” explains Dr Bedi.

Experts say improper handling of the infected animals without the use of personal protective equipment is found to be one of the leading causes of disease transmission in the risk groups.

There have been reports of unexpected sporadic cases of brucellosis among urban population, without having any apparent direct animal contact. Dr Bedi cites the case of a 36-year-old teacher who tested positive for brucellosis, though she had no history of any direct contact with infected animals. According to experts, such cases may be associated with the “consumption of unpasteurised milk and milk products”. As Dr Bedi explains, “Another major route of brucellosis to humans is through eating or drinking contaminated animal products, especially consumption of unpasteurised milk (raw milk) or milk products.”

Treatment with antibiotics combination is used to treat human brucella infections.

About the disease

According to Dr Jasbir Bedi, Assistant Professor at the School of Public Health and Zoonoses in GADVASU, brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that causes abortion, infertility, sterility and mastitis in animals. Humans in close contact with infected animals are at risk of developing brucellosis. The symptoms of brucella infection in humans include fever, chills, sweats, fatigue, myalgia, profound muscle weakness and anorexia.

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