Oman health: People advised to avoid unpasteurised dairy products

Muscat: A total of 48 Brucellosis positive cases have been confirmed in North Al Batinah this year.
Joint efforts from the Ministry of Health (MoH), the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries have achieved epidemiological surveillance and source tracking. MoH, as well as the relevant authorities, have undertaken all measures to control and tackle this disease.
Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that affects both animals and humans. Its symptoms in humans can last from a few days to months. It occurs through transmission of bacteria from infected animals to humans.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has advised people to avoid consumption of unpasteurised milk and soft cheese or direct contact with the infected animals as the disease spreads through skin wounds, mucous membranes, or different body fluids.
Brucellosis induces fever, sweating, headaches, and muscular, joint, and back pains.
The incubation period of the disease can vary from a few weeks to two months or more.The Sultanate has recorded cases of Brucellosis “Maltese fever’’ in the last few decades, with most of them being in the Dhofar Governorate, which were contained successfully.
Certain preventive methods should be followed to avoid Brucellosis. These methods represent boiling milk before consumption, and avoiding ingesting any undercooked meat or consuming unpasteurised or raw dairy products.
Moreover, people who handle animals should put on rubber gloves, goggles, gowns or aprons, and wash their hands properly afterwards. When the symptoms occur, one should seek the nearest health institution for treatment and take the medications as prescribed.