By Tabish Khan
Srinagar: Cases of flu galore amid big breeze in Kashmir. This, however, is not the only wary.
Brucellosis, a highly zoonotic disease, is increasing in the Valley, says Dr. Bashir Ahmad Fomda, professor department of microbiology at SKIMMS, Soura. He advices people to be wary of it.
Brucellosis is a bacterial infection caused by a number of ‘Brucella Melitensis’ which are usually found in the cattle, dogs, sheep and goats.
In humans it’s usually caused by unpasteurized milk or undercook meat or close contact with secretion of infected domestic animals.
“The cases of Brucellosis have been increasing in Kashmir and not many people are aware about it,” says Dr Bashir.
Patients who have fever for more than three weeks are often diagnosed with brucellosis or tuberculosis etc, he says.
“At least 5% of patients whose fever persists for more than three weeks undergo special tests and are diagnosed with Brucellosis disease in Kashmir,” he says.
People who keep close contact with domestic livestock animals or pets, Dr Bashir says, are at high risk.
The expert suggested proper slaughtering of animals to reduce the chance of infection.
The actual global prevalence of human Brucellosis is unknown due inadequacy of reporting and surveillance system in many countries. The standard diagnostic method for Brucellosis includes blood culture and blood serum tests.
Dr. Bashir advises people to avoid consumption of unpasteurized dairy products like milk and cheese and undercooked mutton.
Parvaiz Ahmad, 45 years old, is butcher by profession. He was detected with brucellosis a week ago at SKIMS.
“I was having fever and thought it was common cold but I was diagnosed with the disease. My profession demands me to be surrounded with cattle and was unaware even such disease exist,” he says indicating to lack of awareness in the Valley known for consumption of mutton.
Symptoms:
The symptoms of Brucellosis include fever, backache, headache, weight loss low appetite and cough.
The infection can affect the liver and spleen, and may last for days or months, and sometimes for years’ or more if not treated early.
Joint complications and involvement of the testes and epididymis (storage tubes for sperm that are on top of the testes) are common. Recovery is usual but relapses can occur. Death can occur from inflammation of the lining of the heart (endocarditis) but this is very rare.
Dr. Mohmmad Suhail, a Senior Resident at the department of microbiology said: “We are taking measures to contain the transmission of brucella bacteria from livestock to humans.”
Brucella infection, he says, was mainly an occupational disease of farm workers, veterinarians and abattoir workers. The infection is spread by contact of breaks in the skin (open cuts or sores) with infected animal tissue or the ingestion of unpasteurized milk and dairy products from infected animals.
The bacteria can also be inhaled in dusty animal enclosures, abattoirs and laboratories. Outbreaks can occur.
“There is a lack of awareness, people often relate it to common cold and get antibiotics by own. Awareness program and campaigns should be run, so that people will be aware about it,” Dr Suhail says.
Dr. Nazia, a senior doctor at Animal Sheep Husbandry Bag– Ali Mardan Khan, one of the industrial areas in Srinagar, says that Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease which spreads from animal to human. “We don’t have slaughter house in Kashmir where these cattle’s are first checked and marked to be healthy before sending them into market,” she says.
Dr Nazia adds: “there should be proper check of these animals before consumption but government has not passed any order regarding the same,” says Dr. Nazia.
In 2016 at Ganderbal, he said, people were informed about Brucellosis in cattle after diagnosing them.
“We gave orders of dumping them. We usually slaughter cattle or after treating them we do auctions. We can’t reach everywhere but whenever government will pass order for making community we are ready,” says Dr. Nazia.
