Brucellosis (Brucella suis) detected in dogs located at NSW Lake Macquarie region

15 Dec 2022

Brucellosis is an infection that can be transmitted to humans from some animals. Veterinarians and veterinary staff are at risk of infection when diagnosing and treating infected dogs. Veterinary practices are advised to review their biosecurity risk management systems, including the use of PPE to minimise the risk of transmission of Brucella suis to humans or uninfected animals.

Whilst Brucellosis is generally seen in pig hunting dog breeds in rural Queensland and northern NSW, cases have increasingly been detected in southern NSW, in metropolitan areas, and non-hunting types of dogs. Recently two cases of Brucellosis have been detected in dogs located in the Lake Macquarie region of NSW.

Clinical signs for dogs infected with Brucella suis; they may remain bright, alert and show no obvious sign of infection. Otherwise, the range of symptoms can include:

  • Fever
  • Enlarged testicle/s
  • Enlarged prostate
  • Back pain
  • Lameness
  • Vomiting
  • Lethargy
  • Enlarged lymph nodes
  • Haematuria
  • Abortion

Brucellosis (Brucella suis) is a notifiable disease under NSW legislation. You can report suspected or confirmed brucellosis (Brucella suis) in animals in one of the following ways:

For further information, please see the Department of Primary Industries Brucellosis (Brucella suis) in dogs information and Primefact sheet Brucellosis (Brucella suis) in dogs – guideline for veterinarians.

 

Zoonotic risk and recommendations for Veterinarians
Infected dogs are a potential source of infection for people. The illness in people can be severe, protracted and potentially fatal. Infected dogs pose a risk to people through contact with urine, saliva and reproductive materials of infected dogs. Dogs are also able to act as mechanical carriers by shedding Brucella in their faeces after ingesting infected aborted foetuses or placentas.

Veterinarians handling and treating pig hunting dogs should protect themselves with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and use good personal hygiene. Particular care should be taken when treating wounds, collecting blood, neutering, assisting with whelping or reproductive problems and performing caesareans on pig hunting dogs. Further detail is provided in Safe work methods statement – B suis Sample Collection.

 

What are the symptoms in humans?
Brucellosis typically begins with a flu-like illness. This may include fever, headache, weakness, drenching sweats, chills, weight loss, joint and muscle pain, and generalised aches. Inflammation of the liver and spleen, and gastrointestinal or respiratory symptoms may also occur. In males, the testicles may become inflamed. Pregnant women and their babies are at risk of developing severe disease. If left untreated, infection may cause birth defects, spontaneous abortion or fetal death. Rarely, the valves inside the heart may become infected and this can be fatal.

The symptoms usually start 5-60 days after a person has been infected. The infection typically lasts for days or months but can occasionally last for a year or more and may recur. Disease may be mild and some people get no symptoms of infection.

If brucellosis is suspected, please see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

For further information about human infection of Brusellosis, please see NSW Health Brucellosis fact sheet.

 

Further Information & Resources