Epidemiological Survey of First Human Brucellosis Outbreak Caused by the Sika Deer (Cervus nippon) — Guizhou Province, China, 2019

• Authors: Zhongfa Tao, Guizhou Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Zhangping Yang, Qiandongnan Prefectural Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Yishan Chen, Emory University; Shufeng Yang, Leishan County Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Jingchao Xu, Qiannan Prefecture Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Yue Wang, Guizhou Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Mingyu Lei, Guizhou Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Yun Gou, Guizhou Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Qiulan Chen, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Yan Huang, Guizhou Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention
• Journal Title: China CDC Weekly
• Volume: Volume 3, Number 14
• Publisher: Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention | 2021-04-02, Pages 301-303
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.46234/ccdcw2021.081
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Public Health; Health Sciences, General
• Keywords: Epidemiological; Human Brucellosis; Survey; Sika Deer

Abstract

What is already known on this topic? Brucellosis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by Brucella spp. The main source of infection in human brucellosis is sick animals, mainly including sheep, goat, and cattle, but sika deer (Cervus nippon) can also cause human brucellosis. The first human brucellosis case in Guizhou Province was reported in 2009, and no brucellosis outbreak was reported caused by sika deer ever before. What is added by this report? This is the first reported outbreak of human brucellosis caused by sika deer in Guizhou Province. Inappropriate regulation of animal movement may be the main driver of introducing and spreading brucellosis in southern areas. The ability to diagnose brucellosis in both humans and animals was weak in the county where the outbreak took place. What are the implications for public health practice? It was suggested to prioritize occupational protection and health education for sika deer breeders. The inspection of the movement of animals and the reimbursement policy need to be improved.