Hooo-Hooo Volume 9, Nr 4 | Page 14

WildLife Group of the SAVA BRUCELLOSIS IN SOUTHERN AFRICAN WILDLIFE Some Facts and Thoughts by Roy Bengis Background Transmission Brucellosis caused by Brucella abortus (of which there are 8 biotypes) is mainly a disease of cattle, and National control by means of the official Brucellosis eradication scheme does not appear to have reached desired goals, and the disease currently occurs in cattle in all nine of our Provinces. In addition, with Brucella melitensis, localisation of infection in the testis, epididymus and accessory sex organs is common in rams, viable organisms can be isolated from the semen, and transmission via artificial insemination has been demonstrated. Brucellosis is a disease of livestock that has opportunistically entered several wildlife populations in South Africa, and it appears to have become selfmaintaining in some wild species. Brucellosis caused by Brucella melitensis (of which there are 3 biovars) is mainly a disease of small ruminants, and outbreaks in South Africa are rare and sporadic, the most recent outbreak reported from northern Kwazulu / Natal in goats. Transmission of Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis generally takes place by means of contact with aborted foetuses, foetal membranes, lochia fluid and vaginal discharges. Transmission may also occur through ingestion of infected milk or colostrum. Clinical signs Both Brucella species infect the cotyledons of the foetal membranes in the gravid uterus, resulting in abortions. Wildlife species affected In Southern Africa, Brucella abortus infection has most frequently been reported in African buffalo, but sporadic infections or serological reactors have been