Brucellosis in Swine

 

What is Brucellosis?
Brucellosis is an infectious disease of animals and humans caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella. Swine brucellosis can cause abortion, infertility, and sterility, resulting in economic loss to the producer.

 

How is brucellosis transmitted?
The major sources of infection are reproductive (mainly fetal and placental) secretions and mammary secretions (milk) from infected animals. Brucellosis can be transmitted through ingestion of or contact with aborted fetuses and infected calves. Brucellosis can also be transmitted through natural mating; however, this is very rare.

 

What are the signs of infection in swine?
Most of the time there are no signs. Swine may abort late in pregnancy, or give birth to weak or sick piglets. In extreme cases, brucellosis can cause arthritis in the joints.

 

What can I do to prevent brucellosis in my herd?
As with most diseases, the best prevention is to avoid contact with infected animals.  Having appropriate biosecurity plans in place can help significantly reduce the risk of transmission, should you find you have infected animals.

 

Can brucellosis infect humans?
The main risk for humans to become infected with brucellosis is through contact with reproductive fluids – placental and fetal fluids – from infected animals. Although there is a possibility for brucellosis to be transmitted through meat, the cooking of meat destroys the bacteria. Any infection risk in humans is primarily in people who work with swine and are exposed to potentially infected fluids.

 

Am I required to test for brucellosis?
There is currently no required testing for brucellosis in swine.

 

Brucellosis is a reportable disease in Idaho.

 

If you have a question that is not covered here, please contact Animal Industries by email or at (208) 332-8540.