THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Concerned over the outbreak of Brucellosis, a bacterial disease affecting cattle and causing undulant fever in humans, the government has decided to cull all infected cattle at the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University’s (KVASU) farm at Thiruvazhamkunnu in Palakkad.
“We have instructed the farm superintendent to cull all the infected animals as a precautionary measure,” Animal Husbandry director Dr N N Sasi told ‘Express’.
According to the senior official, brucellosis does not spread rapidly like bird flu. Also, there are only remote chances of humans contracting the disease by consuming infected meat as cooking above 85 degree Celsius destroys the bacteria.
“As of now there is no cause of concern. Only people who are in close contact with the infected cattle, like labourers at the farm and doctors, need to exercise caution,” the director added. He said that the cattle at farms across Kerala are periodically tested for diseases including brucellosis.
Health Dept monitoring situation
The Health Department is taking no chances and has instructed the DMO, Palakkad to ensure that a massive disinfection drive is carried out in and around the farm to check the spread of the disease.
“We are constantly monitoring the situation and will take preventive steps in case any symptoms are reported in humans,” said Director of Health Services Dr Ramesh Rayru. He added that no cases of brucellosis infection in human beings have been reported in Kerala over the past few decades.