The rate of brucellosis has increased in Mazandaran, and its “quick prevalence in the province is a major threat to the people,” said Nader Ahangar, an official of Mazandaran Medical Sciences University.
In the first seven months of the current year, (started March 21) 290 people were identified with the disease, an increase by 15% compared to the corresponding period last year.
Timely vaccination of livestock and avoiding unpasteurized milk products can help prevent the disease, as its development in 80% of the patients has been due to use of unpasteurized dairy products, IRNA reported.
Brucellosis is a bacterial infection shared by human beings and livestock and is caused by a bacterium of the genus Brucella. It is generally transmitted to humans through direct contact with an infectious animal, drinking unpasteurized milk or consuming such milk products. Symptoms include weakness, lethargy, chills, fever, sweating, decreased appetite, headache, back pain; the main cause of death is endocarditic.
