First symptoms in humans of 'silent killer' dog disease Brucella
A disease that is typically found in dogs has been spreading to humans in the UK. This year cases of Brucella canis (B. canis) have been diagnosed in 97 dogs up until June, whereas prior to 2020 there were only three recorded cases. The infection - which is typically confined to areas of Eastern Europe, including Romania, Serbia and Bosnia - is now on the rise in this country, and has already spread to a number of humans. But what is Brucella canis and how do humans catch it?
What is Brucella canis?
an NHS GP and Medico-Legal Expert Witness, explains to the Mirror that, “Brucella canis is a type of bacterial infection. Normally, it's something that dogs get. But this is a particular strain of the bacterial infection that is transmitted from dogs to humans. It used to be really rare to get it but there's been an increase in the number of dogs who have got it. Most of the dogs who've had it, they've been imported into the UK from Eastern Europe, or they've been linked to Eastern Europe.”
If you suspect you might have the disease you should seek medical help (Getty Images)How do humans catch Brucella canis?
The disease is transmitted through an infected dog’s bodily fluids, which include foetal products, placenta, semen, fluids from joints or lymph nodes. “Dog to human transmission has been because of birthing products from an infected dog. That's how they think that the most recent cases that have been found in England were transmitted,” says Dr Patel. Vets and breeders are more likely to catch the disease as they may be working with dogs who are giving birth.
What are the symptoms of Brucella canis?
“The worry is that most of the time when humans get it they don't always get symptoms,” says Dr Patel of the silent disease. “So it can be weeks or years before they get symptoms.” She also explains that the people who have been found to have the disease in the UK have worked around dogs which has led to their diagnosis. “The dogs have been found to have it so they were tested and they’ve been found to have this infection, but they didn't have any symptoms. If people do get symptoms, it can be things like a temperature, not feeling like you want to eat or drink, and you can lose weight.”
Dr Patel adds that flu-like symptoms such as a fever, sweating, joint pain, tiredness and headaches can also indicate a person has the disease. “If you don't treat it, then it can lead to complications with different organs in the body," she says, adding that it can spark potentially fatal illnesses. "So things like inflammation of the lining of your heart which endocarditis or meningitis, inflammation on the brain, spinal cord. It also can end up causing long term brain issues.”
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What is the cure for Brucella canis?
If you think you or someone you know might have Brucella canis, Dr Patel says, “You should go to your GP. If you feel that you're really unwell you should go to A&E, and there are tests that we do so we can check for this.” The infection is treated with antibiotics and people should make a full recovery.
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