Rare Dog Disease Detected in Humans in the UK: Euthanasia is The Only Way Forward

Brucellosis, caused by the bacterium Brucella canis, has been diagnosed in two people in the United Kingdom. This new occurrence, previously seen solely in imported dogs, was reported by the Human Animal Infections and Risk Surveillance team. In 2020, it first appeared in local canines and has since spread.

In July of 2023, both cases were discovered. One case was recognised at a hospital after the patient presented with symptoms, and another was found through the follow-up of people who had come into contact with infected dogs but had no symptoms themselves. In both cases, human exposure occurred before the canines' infection status was known.

Breeding in kennels, which can lead to interaction and mating with imported dogs or their progeny, is thought to be the cause of this outbreak among native dogs in the UK. Romania is a major source of dogs transported to the UK, and Brucella canis is endemic throughout much of Eastern Europe.

Social, grooming, and sexual interactions between dogs are major vectors for bacterial spread through the vaginal, conjunctival, and oronasal mucosae. Fevers, headaches, and muscle soreness are some of the possible symptoms in people.

The government of the United Kingdom is thinking about requiring B. canis screening at its borders to keep infected animals out. Since B. canis is resistant to antibiotic therapy, euthanizing afflicted dogs is the best approach to stop the spread of the disease.

The decision to euthanize infected dogs is at the discretion of owners and their veterinarians, weighing the associated risks if alternative action is taken.

There have been no recorded human deaths from B. canis, and human-to-human transmission is theoretically possible but not considered a common pathway for transmission.

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