*1.3.1 Animal*

Bacteria are excreted with the fetus, the placenta and uterine fluid during calving.

Animals' discharge the organism after parturition, abortion or via milk of infected cow [6, 7].

Infected breeding bulls transmit infection via semen.

Vertical transmission is through calves or lamb in the uterus [1, 8]. Transmission can occur through contaminated water and feed.

## *1.3.2 Humans*

Human *brucellosis* has different names based on the region in which the disease occurred. They named it *Malta fever*, because Dr. Bruce discovered the disease in this town, *Cyprus or Mediterranean fever*, *rocky fever of Gibraltar*, *intermitted typhoid* and *undulant fever* [9, 10].

Fever is a general symptom across all human patients. Uterus infection with fetal death accompanied by general malaise, fatigue and arthritis with chronic

**37**

*One Health Approach to Control Brucellosis in Sierra Leone*

causes deafness as reported by other scientists [15].

health importance both at national and regional levels.

Sierra Leone. Major cattle markets exist in these districts.

are common among ruminants throughout the country.

and recurring febrility with joint pain are common in human beings [10, 11]. Chronic symptoms include loss of working day, high fever because of septicemia followed by emancipation, insomnia, headache, loss of appetite and sexual

Human to human transmission occurs through transplacenta and breastfeeding but not through sexual intercourse, blood transfusion or transplantation of body organs [10, 13]. The disease is transmitted by direct contact with infected tissue or their products [10, 11]. Transmission by inhalation of an organism or into the conjunctiva occurs by air. In humans, transmission is not limited to the reproductive organs but the nervous system. It causes *neurobrucellosis* showing symptoms of *meningitis*, *encephalitis*, *stroke*, *myelitis* and *neuropsychiatric* features [14]. *Brucellosis*

Brucellosis is one of the most widespread bacterial zoonotic diseases in the world. It affects both humans and domestic and wild animals [16]. WHO reports about 500,000 cases of human brucellosis every year [17]. An economic impact assessment conducted in both Africa and Asia in 2013 by McDermott et al. [18] shows that the disease is endemic across Africa and Asia continents and responsible for most of the human cases. The disease worsens and deprives people in developing countries like sub-Saharan Africa of the much-needed protein. Poverty is a driving force of brucellosis especially in communities where people depend heavily on

*Brucella* subtype causes brucellosis in many parts of the world including West Africa. *Brucella abortus biovar* 3 is a common strain that affects cattle [20]. These West African isolates are mostly characterized from autochthonous cattle and hygroma fluid samples. Data are required to assess the potential threats of public

Sierra Leone is located in the humid tropical forest in the west coast of West Africa. It is boarded by the Republic of Guinea in the north and north-west and Liberia in the south and southwest and by the Atlantic Ocean in the west. The country has five ecological zones: the Mangrove swamp, Savannah grassland, forest vegetation, inland valley swamp and Bolland and has nine significant rivers that

The high natural vegetation provides a conducive environment for rearing animals such as ruminants. Ruminant production such as cattle is confined to the northern district of Koinadugu extending north-eastward to Kono District and southward to Bombali District. These three districts were known as the cattle belt of

Brucellosis outbreak occurred in Sierra Leone in 1966. The veterinary division mounted a campaign, which they divided into three phases, from 1966 to 1969. About 50% of herds became infected in Bombali and Kono, and cases of abortion were reported in Njala. Strain 19 has been used over the years, but the problem persists. A nationwide vaccination and DCIP Havac strain (45/20) were anticipated,

Most of the veterinary structures and institutions started degenerating during this period. The status of the disease remains unknown, but abortion and stillbirth

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.82378*

impotence in a human patient [12].

**1.4 Africa and Asia**

livestock for their livelihood [19].

**2. Brucellosis in Sierra Leone**

retain water all year round.

but never materialized.

*One Health Approach to Control Brucellosis in Sierra Leone DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.82378*

and recurring febrility with joint pain are common in human beings [10, 11]. Chronic symptoms include loss of working day, high fever because of septicemia followed by emancipation, insomnia, headache, loss of appetite and sexual impotence in a human patient [12].

Human to human transmission occurs through transplacenta and breastfeeding but not through sexual intercourse, blood transfusion or transplantation of body organs [10, 13]. The disease is transmitted by direct contact with infected tissue or their products [10, 11]. Transmission by inhalation of an organism or into the conjunctiva occurs by air. In humans, transmission is not limited to the reproductive organs but the nervous system. It causes *neurobrucellosis* showing symptoms of *meningitis*, *encephalitis*, *stroke*, *myelitis* and *neuropsychiatric* features [14]. *Brucellosis* causes deafness as reported by other scientists [15].
