The UK has reported its first case of Brucella canis

The increase in this zoonotic disease in dogs has prompted alarms in countries such as the United Kingdom, France or the Netherlands, as we reported a few days ago in Veterinary Journal.

The Netherlands also recently reported a file The first case of a person infected with canine brucellosis. He appears to have contracted the disease after continuing exposure to infected dogs in his home. In this case, health authorities noted that cross-border spread of brucellosis occurred “through the illegal import of infected dogs from endemic countries to non-endemic countries in Europe.”

Now, an article has been published in veterinary record A case discovered in a woman collects, becoming the first person in the UK to contract brucella canis, Veterinarians have called for the introduction of mandatory pre-import testing of dogs for disease.

as they explainAnd the The woman fell ill From a pregnant German shepherd imported from BelarusShe had to euthanize all of her family’s dogs after the infection was transmitted from dog to dog.

Although the risk of zoonoses B Considered low, in February 2021 the UK Human Animal Infection and Risk Control Group released a review and risk statement on the risks the disease poses to humans.

In the report, they suggested that dog importers have the option to voluntarily test dogs from countries where the disease is prevalent.

After the news of the case Ian Wrightveterinarian and president of the European Scientific Council on Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP) in the UK and Ireland and director of the ESCCAP Guidelines for Europe, suggested that Testing should be mandatory for dogs imported from countries where the disease is endemic.

The risks of zoonoses are low, but, as this case shows, they are very real. Testing should be mandatory for dogs imported into the UK from endemic countries, but until that happens, the most important thing vets can do is recommend testing to pet owners and institutions,” says Wright.

Clinical signs of B They include infertility, miscarriage, endometritis, epididymitis, orchitis, edema of the scrotum. Wright also highlighted the wide range of non-reproductive conditions that can occur as a result of the disease, including chronic uveitis, lymphadenitis, and lethargy.

The situation in Spain

In Spain, last year, among the 5.4% of the positive samples detected in the European study on the prevalence of brucellosis, 11.7% came from Spain. however, Anthony ArenasProfessor at the University of Cordoba and Vice President of the Society of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, confirms that ‘There is no cause for concern’Although it emphasizes the importance of prevention to prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as this disease.

“It is difficult for this disease to occur in humans, because brucellosis in dogs cannot be transmitted between humans, the infection always occurs between a dog and another dog or between a dog and a person, although this last case, as I said, is rare” explains the professor. “The important thing, as in all zoonoses, is to watch out for potential cases and isolate them immediately to prevent their spread.”warns.

“For example, if there is a potentially infected female dog in the kennel that will give birth, it is very important to isolate her completely during childbirth, because all her waste, such as the placenta, is highly contaminated, and if they come into contact with other animals, the disease can spread quickly,” Arenas concludes.