Imphal, November 20: Amid the scare of possible outbreak of bird flu, people in Manipur have one more reason to be cautious while relishing delicacies made from milk and meat of domesticated animals as cases of deadly Brucellosis, a serious Zoonotic disease, have been confirmed.

Caused by bacteria Brucella Abortus Biotype-I, those who consume the meat or milk of the affected Cow, Buffalo, Sheep, Goat, Pig, Dog, etc, may suffer from disorder in their reproductive system and glands, which could be fatal if not given medical treatment on time.

It is said that out of 503 blood samples collected by the State Veterinary Department from all the districts and sent for testing at Project Directorate on Animal Disease, Monitoring and Surveillance in May this year, 10 samples were found positive of Brucellosis.

Earlier in 2002, the Department had collected 502 milk samples of domesticated animals from Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Churachandpur for testing.

Out of this seven samples were found positive.

Similar testing conducted on 260 samples at the Shillong Branch office in 2004 had also confirmed 42 cases of Brucellosis.

When contacted, Dr Ng Ibotombi of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry confirmed that cases of Brucellosis have been detected from the milk and meat samples tested.

He informed that the State Government has not only taken up measures to prevent Brucellosis, but has also constituted an expert committee for the purpose.

Brucellosis can be spread to human beings not just through consumption of the meat of the infected animals but also from the milk, he said, adding, however, that the bacteria can be killed if the meat and the milk are properly cooked or boiled.

So care should be taken against taking milk products like butter, curd, paneer, cheese, etc, he cautioned.

Once inside the human body, the bacteria can cause problem in the reproductive system and damage the nerves of the brain, which might be fatal in some cases, he said, while informing that it is difficult to find out whether an animal has been affected by the bacteria from its external appearance.

Dr Ibotombi said that Brucellosis could be spread from one animal to another very easily.

The first case of the disease was detected in India in 1942.To prevent the cattle and other domesticated animals from being affected by the bacteria, Dr Ibotombi said they should be administered with one anti-bacteria course and Vitamin-E supplement.

The young ones should also be vaccinated within 6 to 8 months of the birth.

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