Brucellosis

 Written by: Muhammad Nasir Sirat

Brucellosis is a bacterial infection that spreads from animals to people. Most commonly, people are infected by eating raw or unpasteurized dairy products. Sometimes, the bacteria that cause brucellosis could spread  

through the air or direct contact with an infected animal or person.

AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some patients and a physician about this disease.

Seema Ahmadi, a resident of Mazar-e-Sharif city, Balkh province says, “I was suffering from brucellosis. I have no appetite to eat; suffering from fever and body pain, especially joints pain was bothering me more and my weight was increased.”

Fahim, a resident of Parwan province says, “brucellosis caused me different health problems. Body pain; sexual problems; heart and brain diseases and others. My grandmother died of brucellosis.”  

Doctor Bidarbakht Habeeb, an internist at one of the private hospitals in Herat private says, “Symptoms and signs of brucellosis are fever and chills, anorexia, sweating, weakness and fatigue, joints pain, muscle and back pain, and headaches. If the disease remains untreated for a long time, fatigue, heart inflammation, brain damage, meningitis and other serious problems including the death of the patient would be followed.”

What do some people think about the causes of brucellosis?

Ikramullah, a resident of Ahmad Shah Baba Mena, district 12th, Kabul city says, “Hot weather; not considering personal hygiene; contact with animals and eating contaminated meat of infected animals are the causes of brucellosis.”

Farzana, a resident of Herat province says, “Direct contact with infected animals and eating their products like milk, yogurt, butter and dry curd could cause brucellosis.”

Doctor Habeeb says, “

Brucellosis could affect wild and domestic animals. The disease is more common in cattle, goats, sheep, dogs, camels, cats, etc. It can be transmitted from animals to humans in the following three main ways: Raw dairy products can be transmitted to humans through milk, ice cream, butter, and unpasteurized cheeses. Infected animals also could transmit the bacteria to human through raw or semi-raw meat or the air with direct contact with infected animals.”

How do some people treat this disease?

Muhammad Wahid, a resident of Behsod district, Nangarhar province says, “We prevent our patients from eating dairy products, meat, and greasy foods. Instead, we give them fresh fruits and cooked vegetables.”

A woman who doesn’t want to tell her name, says, “When I was infected with brucellosis, I went to the hospital for essential treatment.the doctor prescribed me medicines and I took them regularly and now I am recovered.”

Doctor Habeeb talks about the treatment of brucellosis, “If a person suffers from high fever and his body temperature is rising rapidly, he/she has muscle pain and abnormal weakness, he/she should go the doctor. If the doctor diagnosed that he/she is infected with brucellosis, he/she should be treated with antibiotics for at least 6 weeks and should take the medicines according to the advice of the doctor. Brucellosis doesn’t have home treatment; medical treatment must be provided.”