A rare dog disease can now transfer to humans, should we be worried?

We all know the saying that dogs are man’s best friend. Having a dog can be a joy, but it can also be painful when your dog is ill and in need of treatment. There is a reported rise in the number of cases of brucella canis, a bacterial infection that usually only affects dogs.

However, there have been 3 reported cases of brucella canis in humans in unrelated incidents. According to The Independent, brucella canis is rare in dogs, but the number of infections has slowly been increasing, mainly in dogs imported from Eastern Europe.

So what is brucella canis and is it a potential threat to humans?

What is brucella canis?

As mentioned above, brucella canis is a bacterial infection that typically affects dogs. It causes premature ageing, back pain, and infertility and can cause your pet to become lethargic.

This infection is not life-threatening to dogs, but it is incurable and, as reported by The Independent, the only way to control transmissions is to euthanasine those infected. The number of cases of dogs has gone from 9 in 2020 to 91 in 2023 so far.

The Human Animal Infections and Risk Surveillance (HAIRS) released a report on Monday, September, 18; they explained that even though brucella canis is considered ‘low risk in the UK’ they still advise dog breeders and charities to routinely test the dogs they have imported into the country.

The cases of brucella canis in humans

According to The Independent, it is believed that the first reported of brucella canis in humans is Wendy Hayes, from Stoke-on-Trent in 2022. She contracted the bacterial infection from her rescue Moosha’s birthing fluids. She was sadly forced to put down all five of her dogs.

The second person to contract brucella canis was a person working at a vets, this person showed no symptoms and the infection was discovered thanks to routine testing. There is no information on the third case of brucella canis.

Is brucella canis dangerous for humans?

The burning question is whether or not brucella canis is dangerous to humans. The answer is that brucella canis is not fatal to humans. According to The Independent, symptoms include fever, headaches, and weight loss.

In more severe cases, it can cause meningitis, septicaemia and arthritis. Symptoms of brucella canis can take years to present themselves and can return over time.

Wendi Shepherd, Head of Emerging Infections and Zoonoses at UKHSA, said:

We have seen a small number of cases of Brucella canis in people in the UK this year. However, the risk to the general public in the UK is very low and the risk to people who have had close contact with an infected dog is low.

Adding:

From the small number of cases of the infection that have been reported in humans worldwide, the infection is usually mild, but people who have weakened immune systems, are pregnant, or are young children may be more likely to experience more serious infection

Brucella canis is not known to transmit between humans, but it is thought that it could be possible via blood transfusions.

Read more:

⋙ UK records first case of human-to-dog COVID transmission
⋙ American XL bully dogs to be banned in the UK, what other dogs are on the ban list?

⋙ Warning signs your dog or cat may be dying that you should know about

Sources used:

The Independent: ‘Warning as rare dog disease transfers to humans in UK’