15 cases of brucellosis (Malta fever) have been reported in the governorate of Kébili since the beginning of 2023, compared with 14 cases in 2022.

Head of department at the Souk El Ahad district hospital Dr Ikram Touati pointed out that the risk of contamination can arise through direct contact with sick animals, through the ingestion of contaminated food, milk and unpasteurised dairy products from contaminated animals, or meat and offal, or through inhalation of the bacteria in stables.

She told TAP that the symptoms of brucellosis can be summed up as acute fever, which can develop into a chronic phase with febrile relapses, asthenia, sweating and diffuse pain, adding that optimal treatment requires the use of antibiotics.

Dr Touati called on consumers to opt for pasteurised milk, to boil cow's milk and to cook meat thoroughly, at the same time urging farmers to vaccinate their livestock and to take the necessary hygienic measures when coming into contact with animals.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse