Veterinary Hospital Kohima
What is Brucellosis?
Brucellosis is a chronic contagious disease of sexually matured animals, mainly of cattle which cause great economic loss.
What is the cause of the disease?
Brucellosis is caused by bacterial organisms which are animal specific.
Which animals are susceptible to the disease?
Cattle, sheep, pig, buffalo and dog are the most susceptible.
How is the disease transmitted?
Animals get the infection through:
Contaminated feed and water
Milk
Semen
Contact with aborted fetus or secretions
What are the clinical signs and symptoms?
Abortion in the last trimester
Stillborn or weak calves
Retained placentas
Reduce milk yield
Swollen testicles in bulls
Swollen joints
How is the disease diagnosed?
The disease is diagnosed only by laboratory test.
What is the sample to be collected?
Serum samples from suspected animals
Milk
Uterine discharges or placental fluids
Aborted fetus
What are the prevention and control measures?
There is no specific treatment available for Brucellosis
Symptomatic treatment
Proper disposal of aborted fetus, discharges and membranes
Slaughtering of positive disease animals
Maintenance of proper hygiene
Vaccination of calves of the age group 4-8 months
Bull should not be vaccinated.
What are the constrains in controlling the disease?
Disease conformation is leading to distress
Increased in trade movement of animals and commercial farming
No policy for slaughter of infected animals
Lack of public vaccination no practiced
What are the advantages of calf hood vaccination?
Prevents abortion on herds
Builds up herd immunity in 3-5 years.
sale and spread of disease.
