Drawing goats' blood causes disease outbreak
By Li Qian |
November 3, 2011, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
HUNDREDS of quarantine inspectors in Ulanqab in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region have caught a severe disease from collecting blood samples of goats due to poor protective measures, China Youth Daily reported yesterday.
After conducting tests on goats in March, the inspectors from several counties of Ulanqab developed headaches and serious joint pains. They were diagnosed with brucellosis contracted from goats, the report said.
Brucellosis is a serious disease for animals and humans. It was categorized as a class B infectious disease in 2004 by the Ministry of Hygiene, as infectious as H1N1 flu, SARS and AIDS, the report said.
It recurs easily, causing victims to suffer life-long joint pains and even infertility. But it can be treated, said Wu Qingming, a professor at China Agricultural University.
A disease-control center in Ulanqab's Liangcheng County said about 100 quarantine inspectors in his county alone were infected in April and May, the report said.
People become infected with brucellosis after contact with animals or animal products contaminated with bacteria, which are spread more easily among animals than people.
Quarantine inspectors were not given professional protective equipment and clothing, said Fan Anmai, a quarantine inspector. He received only a shabby fabric garment with patches on it, a pair of disposable gloves and a gauze mask, he said.
"Sometimes my gloves are torn when I collect blood. But I have to continue," he said.
Wu indicated that brucellosis was becoming more prevalent in China, with many people contracting it after eating tainted mutton or beef or drinking tainted milk.
After conducting tests on goats in March, the inspectors from several counties of Ulanqab developed headaches and serious joint pains. They were diagnosed with brucellosis contracted from goats, the report said.
Brucellosis is a serious disease for animals and humans. It was categorized as a class B infectious disease in 2004 by the Ministry of Hygiene, as infectious as H1N1 flu, SARS and AIDS, the report said.
It recurs easily, causing victims to suffer life-long joint pains and even infertility. But it can be treated, said Wu Qingming, a professor at China Agricultural University.
A disease-control center in Ulanqab's Liangcheng County said about 100 quarantine inspectors in his county alone were infected in April and May, the report said.
People become infected with brucellosis after contact with animals or animal products contaminated with bacteria, which are spread more easily among animals than people.
Quarantine inspectors were not given professional protective equipment and clothing, said Fan Anmai, a quarantine inspector. He received only a shabby fabric garment with patches on it, a pair of disposable gloves and a gauze mask, he said.
"Sometimes my gloves are torn when I collect blood. But I have to continue," he said.
Wu indicated that brucellosis was becoming more prevalent in China, with many people contracting it after eating tainted mutton or beef or drinking tainted milk.
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