Negri to Stop Spread of Contagious Brucella Virus in Livestock
MALAYSIA - The Veterinary Services Department has been directed to cull livestock found to be infected with the contagious brucella virus after sick cows were found in three farms.
17 February 2017
1 minute read
The virus (brucellosis) can be transmitted from animals to humans when they consume raw milk or cheese or eat semi-cooked meat of the infected animal.
It can also be transmitted through direct contact with infected animal secretions.
Humans who are infected will suffer severe and intermittent fever.
Infected female cows will face miscarriages, decreased milk production, weight loss and infertility.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the culling was to prevent the virus from spreading.
“We believe that local cows were infected by imported cattle.
“We want the department to destroy infected animals immediately to prevent the virus from spreading,” he told reporters after chairing the state exco meeting.
Mr Mohamad said personnel from the department would be visiting more livestock farms in the state to check on the condition of the animals.
Although brucellosis can attack other animals, checks showed that its main threat is to cows and buffalo.
Source: The Star Online
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