CAIRO: Veterinary authorities in Gharbeya denied press reports claiming the discovery of 83 cases of animals infected with Tuberculosis and Brucella in Kafr Al-Zayat. "I don't know where these numbers came from; there is neither an epidemic nor an increase in TB or Brucella cases in Kafr Al-Zayat," Ahmed Sabry, general director of public health and slaughterhouses at the general veterinary directorate in Gharbeya told Daily News Egypt. "The recorded number of infected cases is within normal range," he added. Al-Masry Al-Youm reported that the authorities in Gharbeya declared a state of emergency amid the discovery of tens of infected cases of Tuberculosis and Brucella. "This is a biannual procedure of checking on animals in the governorate, like other governorates for these diseases; when positive cases are discovered, they are slaughtered and compensation is paid to the owner besides its meat if it was found to be safe," Sabry said. According to Sabry the procedure is based on the ministerial decision number 13/26 for the year 1999 regarding combating Tuberculosis and Brucella. "The situation is within normal rates and is under control; infected animals are not subject to an increase," Sayed Al-Shemy, general director of Zoonotic diseases at the General Authority for Veterinary Services told Daily News Egypt. "Even if the number is true, it constitutes less than 0.1 percent of the existing cattle population in Kafr Al-Zayat," Sabry said. Tuberculosis and Brucella are bacterial diseases that hit both animals and humans and can cause death if left unattended. "Both Tuberculosis and Brucella can easily be transmitted to humans from infected animals through unpasteurized milk, coming in contact with infected meat or animals," Al-Shemy said.
