Brucella suis
Brucellosis is a disease caused by infection with Brucella bacteria. While this disease is common in many parts of the world, many types of Brucella do not occur in Australia. Brucella bacteria can infect a range of animals and humans. Brucella suis usually infects pigs but can also infect humans and dogs.
Brucella suis is a notifiable animal disease and must be reported.
Brucella suis infection is widespread in Queensland’s feral pig population and it is endemic in the feral pig population in northern New South Wales. The extent of the spread of Brucella suis into other regions of NSW is unknown. Brucella suis in pigs is also known as porcine brucellosis or swine brucellosis.
Feral pigs are the usual source of infection for people, domestic pigs and dogs, particularly when there has been contact with the tissues and body fluids of an infected pig, for example, blood, urine, semen, uterine discharges and aborted foetuses.
Uncommonly, bacteria can be aerosolised, inhaled and cause disease, such as in laboratory workers who work with Brucella suis cultures or during butchering of infected pigs. The infection is rarely transmitted from person-to-person.
Brucella suis in South Australia
Brucella suis has been detected in feral pigs in the far north of South Australia. This detection does not mean the animals were infected in South Australia, as the feral pigs may have travelled some distance since infection occurred.
How the disease spreads in humans and dogs
Feral pig hunters and trappers, and pig hunting dogs are at highest risk of infection through direct contact with tissues or body fluids from an infected animal, and can pass on the infection to other dogs and humans.
Veterinarians in contact with infected reproductive tracts, aborted material or reproductive fluids including during caesareans or birth are also at risk of infection.
Infection in humans may also occur after eating undercooked meat from an infected animal.
Brucella suis has been detected interstate in dogs that have been fed raw pig meat or other tissues.
How the disease spreads in domestic pigs
In a domestic or intensive pig herd, contact with feral pigs is the most likely point of entry for Brucella suis. Good biosecurity is important to limit contact between feral and domestic pigs and includes building pig-proof perimeter fences. Local feral pig numbers can be controlled by trapping, shooting or baiting.
Brucella suis is generally transmitted to pigs:
- after ingestion of contaminated reproductive material – usually birth or abortion products and uterine discharges
- during natural mating or artificial insemination with infected semen. Some pigs recover from infection, while others remain permanently infected. Boars that develop infections of the reproductive tract seldom recover
- after eating contaminated feed, water, manure, wool, and hay.
Brucella suis can also be spread via fomites such as equipment and clothing. Under ideal conditions of low temperature, high humidity and no sunlight, Brucella suis can survive for several months in the environment.
How you can help reduce the spread
Wear protective gear when in contact with feral pigs
- Avoid direct contact (bare skin) with animal blood, body fluid or tissues.
- When dressing and butchering wear rubber gloves, overalls, eye protection and boots that can be cleaned and disinfected.
- Protect all cuts and grazes by using surgical or latex gloves to cover cuts and abrasions on hands and waterproof dressings on other areas.
- Thoroughly wash hands, arms, and all surfaces with soapy water before and after butchering, and similarly, clean and disinfect all working areas, equipment, and vehicles with soapy water.
- Meat should be thoroughly cooked before eating, and carcases and waste disposed of carefully, if possible, by burying or burning.
- Do not feed dogs any raw meat or tissues from feral pigs and wash the dog before leaving the hunting site. If your dog shows signs of the disease, seek veterinary advice.
Protect your family
- Pregnant women and their babies are at greater risk of severe disease, and so should avoid all contact with feral pigs, hunting activities and avoid contact with hunting dogs.
- Children should be kept a safe distance away from slaughtering, field dressing and butchering to reduce the risk of being splashed with bodily fluids of the pig.
Register your animals
All properties with livestock must be registered with a property identification code:
How to report suspected disease
If you notice sick livestock, immediately contact one of the following:
- Call the Emergency Animal Disease Watch hotline (below).
- your veterinarian
- PIRSA animal health
If your dog shows signs of the disease, seek veterinary advice.
Further information
- Japanese encephalitis
- Feral pig management
- Brucella infection - SA Health
- Brucellosis in pigs – NSW DPI
- Brucellosis in dogs – NSW DPI