Cox’s Bazar representative: Brucellosis disease has been detected in Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar. ICDDRB scientists have recently identified brucellosis among patients admitted to their Respiratory Disease Hospital in Teknaf in a new study.
A press conference on the preliminary findings of the study was held at the Teknaf Press Club on Thursday, February 23, at 3 p.m.
According to the survey, eight cases of brucellosis were identified in the area (out of 153 admitted patients, or 5.2 percent) in the initial investigation. Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Brucella, which is commonly present as a parasite in the milk of domestic livestock such as cows, goats, and buffaloes.
Its germs can enter the human body if cow, goat, or buffalo milk is consumed in an impure, unboiled, or raw state. The main symptoms of the disease include fever, body ache, headache, loss of appetite, weakness, etc.
A hospital with 65 beds is being run in the Teknaf Municipality area under the joint management of the ICDDRB and UNICEF since August 2020 for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. From February 12 to July 31, 2022, 120 patients were admitted to the hospital with symptoms of COVID-19. At first, although COVID-19 was suspected, none of them were infected with the disease.
Later, along with other routine tests, triple antigen blood tests are done to diagnose the cause of the infection. Brucella bacteria were initially detected in samples from seven of the 120 patients (five-tenths of eight percent). Later, all of them were given the necessary treatment, and they recovered. However, when a RT-PCR test was done to confirm Brucella, the presence of Brucella was found in the body of one of those five people.
Later, he became an assistant scientist with the ICDDRB’s Infectious Diseases Division.An investigative team from Dhaka led by Irene Sultana Shanta came to Teknaf and interviewed five of the seven people who had already tested positive for the antigen. In all five cases, raw cow’s milk consumption is available. Then a RT-PCR test was done with the blood samples of 33 new patients, and the presence of Brucella was seen in the body of one of them. This patient was a three-year-old girl.
The consumption of raw milk by the people of Teknaf was discovered by scientists.The study highlights the importance of taking the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the disease. Also, in addition to advising against drinking raw cow, goat, or buffalo milk, it is recommended to boil the milk for at least 15 minutes and then cool it.
Former president of the Teknaf Press Club, Javed Iqbal Chowdhury, presided over the event. Dr. Ziaul Islam, Senior Program Coordinator of ICDDRB’s Respiratory Diseases Hospital in Teknaf, senior medical officer and clinical lead Dr. Tarek Mahmud Rakib, and assistant scientist of the infectious diseases division.Irene Sultana Shanta discussed research findings, medical management, and prevention of the disease at the event.
Local journalists were present at the meeting. ICDDRB officials answered their various questions.
Dr. Ziaul Islam said there is no alternative to boiling milk at home to prevent the outbreak of brucellosis. So we have taken up the program of leaflet distribution and yard meetings at the local level to make people aware.
He emphasized the importance of the Upazila Livestock Department’s advice and cooperation in carrying out this program.Dr. Irene Sultana Shanta said it is necessary to determine the prevalence of this disease among the public in other parts of the country.
The president of the program, Javed Iqbal Chowdhury, said that public awareness should be increased to prevent disease. By conducting research on a larger scale, everyone should come forward to attract the attention of those concerned about this disease and take effective measures.
