Rare Canine Disease Infects 3 People in the UK: A Cause for Alarm?

Three individuals in the United Kingdom (UK) have been infected with a rare canine disease caused by the Brucella canis bacterium. While the rare Brucella canis bacterium typically requires lifelong treatment in dogs, humans can effectively manage it with antibiotic therapy.

Brucella Canis Cacterium Infects Three UK Individuals

In dogs, Interesting Engineering reported that this disease often necessitates lifelong treatment, with limited prospects for a full recovery. On the other hand, human infections are typically manageable through antibiotic therapy.

The revelation of this situation occurred after a risk evaluation of B canis conducted last month by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

This assessment was undertaken on behalf of the joint Human Animal Infections and Risk Surveillance (HAIRS) group, which is responsible for identifying and evaluating emerging infection risks pertaining to human health.

The decision to conduct this risk assessment was prompted by an unusually high number of B canis infection reports in dogs since the summer of 2020.

Most of these cases were associated with dogs directly imported into the UK from Eastern Europe. According to the report, the current assessed risk level for the general UK population is classified as "very low."

Patients' Symptoms

Although some reports have mentioned three cases of B canis human infections in the UK, the most recent assessment, as of July 2023, officially records just two laboratory-confirmed instances of human infection.

After the assessment, one of these cases that was seen with symptoms prompted a hospital evaluation, confirming the infection. The other case, although asymptomatic, was associated with a veterinary practice and came to attention through routine monitoring.

In both scenarios, the dogs involved were not initially known to be infected at the time of human exposure but later tested positive. Dogs affected by this infection typically exhibit common symptoms, including infertility, mobility issues, and discomfort.

Transmission of the disease to humans primarily occurs through contact with infected bodily fluids, according to The Independent. It is important to note that while infected animals can undergo treatment involving surgical sterilization and long-term antibiotic therapy, the severity of their condition often leads to euthanization.

UK resident Wendy Hayes was the first to receive a bacterial infection diagnosis last year. Her story is poignant, marked by a tragic turn of events. Wendy owned five family dogs, all of which had to be euthanized due to her contracting the disease from her rescue dog's birthing fluids.

In the period spanning from 2020 to 2021, there was a notable surge in B canis cases reported in dogs, with just two instances documented before 2020, according to estimates from the British Veterinary Association (BVA). Their blog had previously noted that no confirmed human cases had arisen from contact with an infected dog in the UK.