Three individuals in the UK have recently contracted Brucella canis, a bacterial infection typically found in dogs. This disease can lead to pain, lameness, and infertility in canines. Although it is often mild in humans, severe cases can result in conditions like meningitis and septicemia, as reported by The Independent.
The first case in the UK was identified last year in Wendy Hayes, an elderly woman who owns five dogs. Sadly, she had to euthanize her family dogs after contracting the infection from her rescue dog, Moosha, during childbirth. Another person with the infection, who worked at a veterinary clinic, was identified through routine testing despite displaying no symptoms.
Since the summer of 2020, there has been a rise in Brucella canis cases in dogs, primarily linked to dogs imported from Eastern Europe to the UK.
Wendi Shepherd, who leads the Emerging Infections and Zoonoses division at UKHSA, mentioned that while there have been a few cases of Brucella canis reported in people in the UK this year, the overall risk to the population is low. Even individuals with close contact with an infected dog face a relatively low risk.
While globally, Brucella canis infections in humans have been generally mild, those with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, or young children may be more vulnerable to severe infections.
Reported cases of Brucella canis in dogs have spiked from nine cases in 2020 to 91 cases reported in the UK this year. While it may not always be fatal in dogs, it is incurable, and euthanasia is the only method to control its spread.
Symptoms in dogs may include lethargy, premature ageing, and back pain, though some may show no symptoms at all.
Regarding humans, there have been no fatal cases reported. Symptoms may encompass fever, headaches, weight loss, and, in severe cases, meningitis, septicaemia, and arthritis. It’s important to note that symptoms may take years to manifest and could recur over time.
While there have been no confirmed cases of human-to-human transmission, there is a potential risk of transmission through blood transfusions.
