
Most animals infected with brucellosis show no signs of illness. Signs in farm animals: Farm animals most commonly infected include sheep, cattle, goats, and pigs, and less commonly horses. Who is at risk: Anyone can get brucellosis, but people who consume raw dairy products or work closely with animals may be more at risk.
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People can also get brucellosis by coming in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal tissues or fluids (such as blood) and/or getting the bacteria in skin wounds or mucus membranes. How it spreads: The most common way people get brucellosis is by eating or drinking raw dairy products. Ingestion (stomach & intestines) anthrax: Fever and chills, swelling of neck or neck glands, sore throat, painful swallowing, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, red face and eyes, and stomach pain.Īll types of anthrax have the potential, if untreated, to spread throughout the body and cause severe illness and even death.īrucellosis is a bacterial disease caused by contact with infected animals and contaminated animal products like raw (unpasteurized) dairy products like milk or cheese.This type of anthrax is very rare and mostly associated with an intentional spore release (bioterrorism). Inhalation anthrax (from breathing in spores): Fever and chills, shortness of breath and chest discomfort, confusion, nausea or vomiting, headache, sweats, extreme tiredness, and body aches.Cutaneous (skin) anthrax: A group of small blisters or bumps, a painless skin sore (ulcer) with a black center (scar) appearing after the small blisters, and swelling.Symptoms in people: The symptoms of anthrax in people depend on the type of infection and can take anywhere from 1 day to more than 2 months to appear. Often, infected animals do not show signs of illness and are found dead before the cause is known. Typical signs include fever, staggering, depression, difficulty breathing, or seizures. Signs in farm animals: Animals do not always appear sick, but if they do, they can get sick suddenly and die quickly. People at higher risk for anthrax include veterinarians, livestock producers, laboratory professionals, and people who handle animal products (for example, hides, wool, or hair). Who is at risk: Anthrax is rare in the United States, but anyone who comes in contact with anthrax spores can get sick. Anthrax is not contagious, which means it is not spread from person to person. People can also get anthrax through a cut or scrape in the skin. People get infected by having contact with sick or dead animals or eating meat contaminated with spores.

How it spreads: Farm animals can become infected with anthrax when they ingest spores in contaminated soil, plants, or water. People who live in areas where anthrax has occurred should consider vaccinating their livestock against the disease every year. Although it is rare in the United States, people can get sick with anthrax if they come in contact with infected animals, including farm animals. One of the best ways to protect yourself from getting sick is to thoroughly wash your hands right after handling farm animals, their supplies, or anything in the areas where they live and roam.īy providing your farm animals with routine veterinary care and following the Healthy People tips, you are less likely to get sick from touching, owning, visiting, or working with farm animals.Īnthrax is a naturally occurring disease of animals caused by bacteria found in the environment. Some types of farm animals, like goats and pigs, are increasingly being treated like pets or used in settings outside the farm (for example, goat yoga) however, it’s important to remember that these animals are livestock and are not meant to live inside the home or be kept indoors, which increases the risk of illness in people.Īlthough there are many benefits to interacting with farm animals, it’s important to be aware that farm animals can sometimes carry harmful germs that can cause a variety of illnesses in people, ranging from minor skin infections to serious illnesses.

For others, work with farm animals is a career, lifestyle, or tradition.

Many people will only see farm animals at petting zoos or on farm visits. Interacting with farm animals or livestock like cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, llamas, and alpacas can provide education, entertainment, and in many cases a livelihood.
