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More than 6,000 people in China became ill with brucellosis after a bacterium was eliminated last year from a laboratory of a pharmaceutical company, reports the Global Times.
According to the cited source, eight people were charged in the incident between July and August 2019, when the Zhongmu Lanzhou Organic Pharmaceutical Factory used expired disinfectant in its production of the Brucella vaccine, leading to spills of aerosols containing bacteria in area.
So far, a total of 55,725 people have been tested near the factory, representing 97.5 percent of all residents in the Yanchang Road sub-district, and 6,620 have been confirmed to be infected.
Eight people responsible for the incident at the pharmaceutical factory were fired or warned, an official from the Lanzhou Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said at a press conference, according to the source.
On September 24, the authorities allocated 1.2 million euros for monitoring, diagnosis, treatment and compensation of those infected. Lanzhou Zhongmu Organic Pharmaceutical Factory is committed to ensuring additional compensation and full compensation.
As of November 4, 126 patients had been treated at 11 designated hospitals in Lanzhou. The city has opened special environmental channels and clinics for people who report symptoms and offer free standardized treatment, according to the Lanzhou Health Commission.
People can get brucellosis, also known as Maltese fever, from coming into contact with animals such as sheep, goats, cows or camels that are infected with the Brucella bacteria, according to experts.
Symptoms include fever, excessive sweating, headache, general fatigue, and muscle and joint pain.
The symptoms of brucellosis vary greatly between those affected. Some people may not have any apparent symptoms (asymptomatic); others can develop serious complications that affect various organ systems. The incubation period can vary from 1 to 3 weeks to several months.
Cases in which people experience sudden onset of symptoms may be called acute brucellosis. Cases in which the affected person develops the same symptoms within a few weeks may be called subacute brucellosis. When the brucellosis infection lasts for more than a year, it can be called chronic brucellosis.
The most common way to get infected is by eating raw or unpasteurized dairy products, but people can also get sick from breathing in the bacteria.
Wei Qingxiang, vice mayor of Lanzhou City, said Lanzhou will continue to conduct free tests for people who need to be tested and are willing to do so. People who test positive for antibodies and have side effects will receive free standard treatment and receive a long-term health check and lifelong care.
