The bacteria can survive not only in the animal but also in the surroundings for some time. Brucellosis can attack cattle, buffalo, goats, sheep, dogs, horses, and a number of other animals as well. A bacteria, Brucella Abortus , causes the disease. This bacteria can live for a long time in the animal and in the surroundings . 11 Cows with Brucellosis have abortions or still born calves, usually in the last 4 months of pregnancy .
Abortion usually takes place in the last half of pregnancy.
After abortion, bacteria are found in the placenta and foetus, and also in the uterine discharges of the cow and in the milk. If a cow has aborted once, she will normally not abort again due to Brucellosis - but she will continue, at subsequent normal calvings, to shed the bacteria from the uterus and in the milk. In this way she is a permanent risk to other cows, and to people as well. Next pregnancy, your cow will normally not abort because of Brucellosis but bacteria still live in the uterus and in the milk . Your cow passes Brucellosis on to other animals and to other people.