Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

Hot summer has its own advantages - the sun, sea beaches and juicy fruits. But unfortunately, these advantages may turn into a disadvantage by intensive spread of dangerous diseases because the hot weather usually provides the most comfortable environment for reproduction of the aforementioned bacteria.

Brucellosis is one of these dangerous diseases. It is a highly contagious zoonosis caused by ingestion of unpasteurized milk or undercooked meat from infected animals or close contacts with their secretions.

About 200 cases of human infection with brucellosis have been registered in Azerbaijan from the beginning of the year, Department Head of the Epidemiology of Infectious and Special Dangerous Infectious Diseases of the Republican Anti-Plague Station, Rita Ismayilova reported.

It usually begins with a high fever, which lasts for 7-10 days, but in case of absence of appropriate therapy, the temperature would keep up even by 2-3 months. The fever is accompanied with chills, excessive sweating and general symptoms of intoxication. Later, it is joined by symptoms of musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular, nervous and other body systems.

"Frequency of the infection cases in 2014 has not changed in comparison with 2013," she noted.

"The highest number of cases is reported in Ganja, Imishli and Bilasuvar and the lowest number in Baku, North and South regions (Guba, Khachmaz, Astara and Masalli). There have been no cases of death as the result of the infection neither this year nor last year," she said.

Ismayilova stressed that the human infection occurs through direct contact with animals or eating contaminated foods such as raw milk, cheese made ​​from unpasteurized milk.

Ismaylova noted that brucellosis infection is endemic in our country. "Epidemic analysis of materials related to the main sources and routes of brucellosis transmission in our country in recent years has shown that the main source of infection is small cattle."

Such cases are recorded throughout the current year in Azerbaijan. The number of cases of brucellosis increases more in summer and autumn.