Experts are reminding citizens: hot pot and grilled meat must be thoroughly cooked before consumption. A recent university graduate, surnamed Sun, who had been suffering from recurrent fever, back pain, and leg pain for over a month, was recently diagnosed with acute brucellosis at the Heilongjiang Provincial General Hospital. An investigation into the cause of the illness revealed the culprit to be undercooked lamb skewers consumed at a farewell dinner with classmates.
According to Li Fuxing, Director of the Brucellosis Department at the hospital, as Heilongjiang Province transitions from a major grain producer to a major livestock province, livestock market transactions have become increasingly active. However, corresponding monitoring measures have not yet been fully implemented, leading to a rising trend in brucellosis cases. In recent years, the number of brucellosis patients has increased.
It is understood that since the Brucellosis Department of the Provincial General Hospital was designated as a treatment base for brucellosis in the 1980s, it has admitted about 70-80 patients annually, with as few as 30 in some years. However, in the past two years, the annual number of inpatient admissions has exceeded 200, with as many as 50 patients hospitalized simultaneously. Moreover, in the past, over 95% of admitted patients were chronic cases, and the vast majority were returning for follow-up visits. Now, over 80% of patients are acute or subacute first-time cases. What are the symptoms of brucellosis?
Experts say that the primary manifestation of brucellosis is fever. In the past, it often presented as the typical undulant fever, but this classic symptom is now rare. More common are persistent high fever, remittent fever, irregular fever, or long-term low-grade fever. It is also accompanied by joint and muscle pain, fatigue, and excessive sweating. Clinically, these symptoms are often misdiagnosed as the common cold, lumbar disc herniation, and other conditions. Since brucellosis is a systemic disease, delayed treatment can often lead to damage to various systems. For example, liver involvement can cause abnormal liver function, damage to the circulatory system can lead to vasculitis, and invasion of the nervous system can trigger peripheral neuritis or meningitis.
Experts advise individuals experiencing the above symptoms, especially those with a history of contact with livestock or living in endemic areas, to seek early examination at a specialized hospital. Experts state that the current diagnosis and treatment protocols for brucellosis in our province are well-established and can generally achieve a one-time cure. How can brucellosis be prevented?
Currently, the incidence of brucellosis is expanding from farmers and herders in agricultural and pastoral areas to individuals involved in processing, purchasing, and trading in fur and leather products, and from adults to children. Therefore, experts remind relevant departments to adopt strict measures to control the source of infection and cut off transmission routes. Infected livestock must be promptly identified, isolated, culled, and deeply buried or incinerated. Strict quarantine must be enforced during livestock transactions. Personnel engaged in livestock breeding, and the processing of fur, leather, and meat must strictly implement relevant regulations and strengthen personal protective measures.
Experts especially warn the general public to ensure that hot pot and grilled meat are thoroughly cooked before eating and to avoid drinking untreated milk. Little Knowledge: Brucellosis
Brucellosis, also known as Bang's disease, is a zoonotic disease. Its main sources of infection are domestic animals such as sheep, cattle, and pigs that carry the bacteria. Humans can become infected by consuming the meat, milk, or internal organs of infected animals, inhaling air containing *Brucella* bacteria, or through contact with the bacteria via the skin or mucous membranes.