Chinese Ministry of Health said in Beijing Friday that China
faces a "serious" burcellosis epidemic and the country is scaling
up efforts to curb it from spreading further.
"China reported 5,753 human cases of brucellosis in the first
half of 2004, which is close to the total number of reported cases
last year," the ministry said in a press release. "The situation is
stark."
Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the
genus Brucella. These bacteria are spread primarily among animals,
including sheep, goats, cattle, deer, pigs and dogs. Humans become
infected by coming in contact with animals or animal products that
are contaminated with these bacteria.
In humans, brucellosis can cause a range of symptoms similar to
the flu and may include fever, headache, back pain, and physical
weakness. Severe infections of the central nervous systems or
lining of the heart may occur. Brucellosis can also cause
long-lasting or chronic symptoms that include recurrent fevers
joint pain and fatigue.
The Ministry of Health noted that it has issued a notice
together with the Ministry of Agriculture, ordering local health
and agricultural departments to take rigorous quarantine and
disinfecting measures, and conduct strict animal cull on sick
livestock to halt the spread of the disease.
The two ministries asked local agencies to improve health
education to the public to raise people's awareness of the disease,
the Ministry of Health said.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health said the two ministries also
asked local agencies to enforce efforts in disease monitoring.
"
The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture will
readjust and increase the key national monitoring posts according
to the development of the epidemic," the Ministry of Health
said.
Local health institutions were asked to cooperation with
agricultural departments closely, and report disease information
immediately, the Health Ministry said.?
(Xinhua News Agency December 18, 2004)