Brucella Bacteria outbreak could lead to massive economic losses, warns agriculture dept
The increase in the Brucella Bacteria in KwaZulu-Natal could lead to massive economic losses in the farming community, according to the provincial agriculture department.
KZN is experiencing an outbreak of animal-borne bacterial disease that causes abortion, weak joints, infertility, and reduced milk reduction in animals.
There are 423 cases recorded between 2017 and 2020.
Director of Veterinary Services in the KZN Agriculture department in Themba Sikhakhane says the disease affects all livestock.
Sikhakhane says the disease causes abortions in animals during the third trimester, something will end up costing farmers money.
"It's a loss to the farmer because they sell livestock.
"The only way to contain it - once the animal is diagnosed - is to slaughter the animal. There is no quick cure.”
Humans are in the risk of contracting chronic fever should they ingest an animal with brucella bacteria.
Sikhakhane says there is no proof yet that the disease can cause infertility and abortions in humans as well.
"I don't know that one the one that is that it's causing genetic fever as far as I know there is no cure for genetic fever. It's something you manage for the rest of your life.”
Sikhakhane says people can contract the disease from raw milk and an aborted animal fetus.
He says the only way to prevent the disease is through vaccination.
