Should any animal abort, one should wear gloves to handle the placenta and aborted tissues and be certain to wash hands thoroughly after removing the gloves. The infection in people causes severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, nausea and vomiting but complications may include arthritis, convulsions and meningitis. There has been one case of a university farm worker being infected with this bacteria within the past few years. The organism may also enter through minor skin lesions and probably via the conjunctiva. In cattle, fever and loss of appetite occur with rapid decline in milk yield and mastitis.
Pregnant cows abort.
The disease in man ranges from inapparent infection to severe infection and death. Prevention includes early detection of the disease in the animals and personnel observing proper handwashing procedures. The bacteria is shed in large numbers in the feces and humans may become infected by not washing hands well after handling manure from infected animals. Humans may also become infected by handling animal carcasses or meat which has been contaminated by feces. Raw milk and undercooked meat products can also contain pathogenic strains.