Brucellosis virus hits veterinarians in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Many veterinarians, especially youngsters, have been affected by Brucellosis or Malta fever that has gripped a large number of cattle at the veterinary university's Thiruvazhamkunnu farm in Palakkad. Veterinary doctors say that Brucellosis has always been present in the cattle in the state for long. The contagious virus harms the reproductive organs of the cattle and also people.

"There are many young veterinarians who have been affected with the Brucellosis virus, though they are hiding the grave situation. It affects the fertility of male veterinarians and there have been several instances of female doctors undergoing abortion," a senior veterinary doctor told DC.

The cattle are infected with hemorrhagic septicaemia, foot and mouth disease and mastitis. But veterinarians say that the meat of affected cattle is edible, provided it is cooked properly. They told DC that only the reproductive organs of the cattle get affected by the virus Brucella Abortus. Though the cattle can be treated, its reproductive capacity would be lost.

So doctors say that the best option is to cull them. But another veterinarian told DC that the Thrissur farm was hit due to the bad quality of semen obtained for artificial insemination. "Semen being obtained from Indo-Swiss Dairy Farm at Mattupetti or elsewhere has to be checked properly. We don't know from where the virus has come and it has to be identified. We also do not know who all have acquired the virus," said another veterinarian.