A bacterial disease, Brucella can affect dogs, pigs and humans.

It is uncommon in Australia but has been detected in feral pig, dogs and people in Queensland and NSW.

Most of infected dogs have a history of feral pig hunting or access to raw feral pig meat. Common signs of infection in dogs include fever, lethargy, abortion, enlarged testicles, lameness and back pain, though it can present with a range of symptoms. However, many of the cases have presented with no clinical signs of disease.

Brucella suis infection in people causes severe flu-like symptoms including intermittent fever, sweating, lethargy, loss of appetite, headaches, and joint and muscle pain. Humans can get infected when handling feral pigs and feral pig meat and, potentially from infected dogs. For more information on brucellosis in people refer to the NSW Health Brucellosis Factsheet.

For more information on Brucella suis in dogs refer to the 'Brucellosis in dogs' primefact from the Department of Primary Industries and the ‘Hunt safe, hunt legal – be a responsible pig dogger guide’ for more information on minimising the risk of disease to you, your family, and your dogs.

Local Land Services district veterinarians are a link between human health practitioners, private veterinarians, and land managers. They are keen to improve awareness of diseases that can transmit from animals to people so that those at risk can best protect themselves.

If you have any further questions on Brucella suis please contact Kate Sawford, district veterinarian at the Braidwood Local Land Services office, on 4842 2594.