Context: Recently, an eight year-old girl from Kottakkal, Malappuram, Kerala, passed away after battling brucellosis for nearly two months.

About Brucellosis

• Brucellosis is a bacterial infection caused by various Brucella species.

• It primarily affects livestock, including cattle, swine, goats, sheep, and dogs.

• Humans get infected through direct contact with infected animals, consuming contaminated animal products, or inhaling airborne bacteria.

• The most common transmission occurs via unpasteurised milk or cheese from infected animals.

• Human-to-human transmission is extremely rare.

Symptoms of Brucellosis

• Common symptoms include: Fever, Weakness, Weight loss and General discomfort or malaise Symptoms can be mild and often go undiagnosed.

• The incubation period ranges from one week to two months, but typically lasts two to four weeks.

• People working with animals are at higher risk, including: Farmers, Butchers, Hunters, Veterinarians and Laboratory personnel.

• Exposure to infected blood, placenta, foetuses, and uterine secretions increases the likelihood of infection.

Prevention Measures

• Vaccination of Livestock – Immunising cattle, goats, and sheep reduces the spread.

• Pasteurisation of Milk – Essential for direct consumption and dairy product manufacturing.

• Public Awareness – Educational campaigns to discourage the consumption of unpasteurized dairy products.

• Regulations on Dairy Sales – Policies ensuring milk and dairy products are pasteurized before sale.