Brucellosis

Written by: Mir Aqa Atabar

Brucellosis is a common disease of cattle and caused by infection with the bacterium Bruscella abortus which could also cause a disease of humans, known as undulant fever. The parasite of brucellosis could transmit to human by drinking infected animal’s milk and meat and other dairies, and also by direct contact with the infected cattle, and if not treated on time, it might take the life of the infected person.

AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to cattle owners and some patient about brucellosis.

Habebullah, a resident of Kochken village, Shakardara district, Kabul province says: “one of cowed was infected with Brucellosis. I had bought it 30 thousand Afghanis and I sold it 13 thousand Afghanis.”

Shaeq, a resident of Kapisa province and an owner of a cow says: “I had a cow which was producing more milk and after the infection with brucellosis, its breasts had swollen and was producing less milk.”

A vet, doctor Hasebullah says: “In the first of brucellosis, the infected cattle might not get pregnant, if it gets pregnant, its calf might be aborted after six months and it gives a birth, the calf might not be perfect and the cow’s breasts might swell, the cow might not eat enough food and might reduce its milk production.

Why some cattle infect with brucellosis?

Habebullah says: “I bought a calf in Qarabagh district, Kabul province. It was infected with brucellosis and the disease transferred to my other cattle.”

The vet, doctor Hasebullah says: “the cattle brucella are usually spread through contact with infected birthing tissues and fluids for example placenta, aborted fetuses, fetal fluids, vaginal discharges. The bacteria could also be found in the milk, blood and urine of the infected animals.”

How could cattle owners prevent their cattle from brucellosis?

Rajab, a resident of Maidan-Wardak province says: “I bring out the cattle from the barn every morning to keep them for a while under sun and clean the barn and I also take care of their feeds.”

Sadruddin, a resident of Jalalabad city, Nangarhar province says: “I usually apply vaccine to my cattle and none of cattle is infected with brucellosis yet.”

Vet, Hasebullah says: “the vaccine against brucellosis should be applied to the calf at the age of 3-6 months and those cows, which aborts a fetus should be kept away from the other cattle and the cattle owner should burry the aborted fetus far from the barn and they should also keep the barn clean.”