What is Brucella canis, an incurable dog disease jumping to humans in the UK?

A dog disease has infected three people in the United Kingdom. An incurable condition in dogs called Brucella canis, a bacterial infection, in canines, can cause infertility, lameness, and pain. The first such cases to be discovered in the UK, according to the country’s Health Security Department, involve three Britons who contracted the infection from infected animals. Wendy Hayes, a resident of Stoke-on-Trent, is thought to have been the first person in the UK to receive a diagnosis of this illness last year. She was forced to put down her five family dogs after catching the illness via the birthing fluids of Moosha, her rescue dog. Despite having no symptoms, a second person with the disease who worked at a veterinary clinic was identified through standard testing. Also read: What are American XL Bully dogs? Why is Britain banning them? What is Brucella canis? Wendi Shepherd, the head of UKHSA’s Emerging Infections and Zoonoses division told The Independent that Brucella canis is an infection that can potentially spread from dogs to humans. Although there is no known cure, euthanasia or prolonged antibiotic use are the suggested treatments; nonetheless, a dog might still be contagious while taking medication. Dogs are exposed to contaminated bodily fluids, which allows the disease to spread. People who work with many different animals, such as veterinarians and kennel workers, are most at risk of contracting the disease through exposure to the same contaminated bodily fluids, according to US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Most of the time, pet owners run little to no danger of illness. However, because they may come into contact with the blood, tissues, and fluids involved in childbirth, dog breeders and medical professionals run a higher risk. [caption id=“attachment_13147842” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] An incurable condition in dogs called Brucella canis, a bacterial infection, in canines, can cause infertility, lameness, and pain. Pexels[/caption] While the health risks of a Brucella canis infection were generally low, severe cases with life-threatening complications had been reported, and immunocompromised individuals could be at greater risk, according to a report on the disease by the cross-government Human Animal Infections and Risk Surveillance (HAIRS) group. Also read: Dog to wolf: Why are Japanese men spending millions to ‘become’ animals? Symptoms Although no fatal cases of Brucella canis infection in humans have been documented, possible symptoms include fever, headaches, weight loss, and, in more extreme situations, life-threatening infections of the blood, heart, bone, brain, and brain tissue. In addition, the illness might develop years after the initial infection and sporadically return over a period of years. While there have not yet been any instances of the disease spreading from person to person, there is a chance that it may be through blood transfusions. Infertility, enlarged male testicles, lethargic behaviour, early ageing, and lameness due to back pain are among the symptoms of Brucella canis in dogs. Some canines, however, might not exhibit overt symptoms of infection. Also read: For the Love of Dog: How once-popular breeds like rough collies, bloodhounds are likely to go extinct in the UK Increasing cases The UK has seen a dramatic increase in dog cases. Just nine cases were reported in 2020, but this number jumped to 36 the next year and to 55 in 2022. [caption id=“attachment_13147912” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] A dog disease has infected three people in the United Kingdom. Pexels[/caption] 91 cases had been found in the UK as of July this year, according to HAIRS. All further cases identified so far this year involved imported canines. Dr Christine Middlemiss, chief veterinary officer at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), told The Telegraph, “We have had spread of a case in the UK to another dog in the UK. It is through breeding in kennels. There is not a lot – there is very little. But that is new for us.” These Brucella canis cases that are native to the UK were contracted by British dogs that were either in contact with or descended from imported dogs. It is still formally categorised as low-risk and isn’t thought to be endemic in the UK. Guidelines According to the British Veterinary Association, Public Health England has evaluated the current situation and provides vital advice to veterinary professionals and organisations involved in the import of dogs from areas where Brucella canis is common. Pre-export testing for the disease was advised by HAIRS for dog breeders and nonprofit organisations importing dogs from abroad. In order to reduce the risk of a potential infection, they also recommended that veterinarians treating dogs brought in from abroad wear the proper PPE. With inputs from agencies