Understanding Camel-Related Diseases
Camels are fascinating animals that have lived alongside humans for thousands of years. They help people in many parts of the world by providing milk, meat, and transportation. However, like many animals, camels can carry germs that sometimes make people sick, especially children.
These illnesses are called zoonotic diseases, which means they can spread from animals to humans. While not everyone who comes near a camel will get sick, it is important for parents to know about these diseases and how to protect their children.
Children can be more vulnerable to animal-related diseases because their immune systems are still developing. This makes awareness and prevention even more important for young ones.
MERS Coronavirus - Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
MERS is a respiratory illness caused by a type of coronavirus that lives in camels. Scientists discovered this virus when people started getting sick with severe breathing problems. Dromedary camels, the one-humped camels found in the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Asia, are the main animals that carry this virus.
The interesting thing about MERS is that camels carrying the virus usually do not look or act sick at all. They carry the virus in their nose and throat without showing any signs of illness. This makes it harder to know which camels might spread the disease.
When children get MERS, they might experience symptoms similar to the flu. Most children who have gotten MERS were found during testing of family members after an adult became sick. The symptoms can include:
Fever that comes on suddenly, cough and difficulty breathing, feeling very tired or weak, runny nose or sore throat. In serious cases, children might develop pneumonia, which is an infection in the lungs. Some children have had milder symptoms or even no symptoms at all.
MERS is most commonly found in the Arabian Peninsula, particularly in countries like Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. Cases have also been reported in countries nearby when people traveled there. If your family plans to visit these regions, extra precautions are important.
Children can catch MERS from camels in several ways. The virus lives in the nasal secretions of camels, so close contact with a camel's nose or mouth is risky. Young camels under two years old are more likely to actively carry and spread the virus compared to adult camels.
The virus can also spread from person to person, though this usually happens among family members or in healthcare settings. This means if one family member gets sick, others might catch it too.
Brucellosis - An Infection Affecting Joints and More
Brucellosis is an infection caused by bacteria called Brucella. These bacteria can live in many animals including camels, goats, sheep, and cattle. Children can get brucellosis from infected animals or their products. In some regions, brucellosis is quite common and affects many children each year.
Brucellosis can look different in each child. Some children have mild symptoms while others become quite sick. The illness usually develops over a few weeks after exposure to the bacteria. Common symptoms include:
Fever that may come and go, pain and swelling in joints, especially knees, ankles, and wrists, severe tiredness and weakness, loss of appetite, headaches and body aches. Many children with brucellosis develop arthritis, which means their joints become painful and swollen. This is often the main sign that helps doctors recognize the disease.
Unlike a simple cold or flu, brucellosis symptoms can last for weeks or even months if not treated properly. Some children might feel better for a while, but then the symptoms return.
In countries where brucellosis is common, children make up a significant portion of cases. The main way children get infected is by drinking unpasteurized camel milk or eating products made from it. Some cultures believe raw camel milk has special health benefits, but this practice carries real health risks.
Brucellosis can be treated with antibiotics, but the treatment takes a long time compared to other infections. Children usually need to take antibiotics for at least six weeks, sometimes longer. The specific medicines depend on the child's age.
For children under 8 years old, doctors typically prescribe a combination of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole with rifampin. Older children and teenagers might receive doxycycline with rifampin. Taking the medicine exactly as prescribed is very important because stopping too early can cause the infection to come back.
Other Diseases Children Can Get from Camels
Camelpox is a viral disease that causes pox-like sores on camels. While it mainly affects camels, people who handle infected animals can sometimes get it too. Cases have been reported in camel handlers and farmers. The infection appears as sores or blisters on the hands and fingers of people who touched sick camels. The good news is that camelpox usually stays limited to the skin and heals on its own.
Q fever is caused by bacteria called Coxiella burnetii. Camels can carry these bacteria, and people can get infected by breathing in dust contaminated with the bacteria from camel urine, feces, or birth products. Children might develop flu-like symptoms including fever, headache, and muscle aches. Most children recover without specific treatment, but some might develop more serious complications.
Camels can carry various bacteria that cause diarrhea and stomach problems, similar to those found in other animals. These include Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter. Children can get these infections from eating undercooked camel meat or consuming unpasteurized camel milk. Symptoms include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting.
Hepatitis E is a liver infection that can spread through contaminated food or water. Studies have found that camels can carry the hepatitis E virus, and people might get infected through consuming raw or undercooked camel products. This disease causes symptoms like yellow skin and eyes, dark urine, tiredness, and stomach pain.
How Do These Diseases Spread to Children?
Understanding how diseases spread from camels to children helps parents take the right precautions. There are several main ways transmission happens:
Touching camels, especially their nose, mouth, or any body fluids can spread infections. Children who pet camels, ride them, or play near them might touch contaminated surfaces. Even seemingly healthy camels can carry germs in their saliva, nasal discharge, or on their skin.
This is one of the most common ways children get sick from camels. Drinking raw camel milk that has not been pasteurized is risky because harmful bacteria and viruses can survive in unpasteurized milk. Eating undercooked camel meat or products made from raw milk like cheese or ice cream can also transmit diseases.
Pasteurization is a heating process that kills dangerous germs in milk without removing its nutritional value. This simple step makes milk much safer to drink.
Some diseases can spread when children breathe in tiny droplets or dust particles contaminated with germs from camels. This can happen when standing very close to a camel that sneezes or coughs, or in dusty areas where camels live.
After getting sick from a camel, an infected person can sometimes spread the disease to others in the family. This is especially true for MERS and some other respiratory infections. Children might catch the disease from a parent or sibling who was first infected by a camel.
How to Protect Your Children
Most of these diseases are preventable with simple precautions. You do not need to avoid camels completely, but following safety guidelines is important, especially in areas where these animals are common.
Only give children pasteurized milk and dairy products. Make sure all camel meat is thoroughly cooked before eating. Avoid any raw or undercooked meat products.
Teach children to wash their hands with soap and water after touching any animals. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol content.
Keep young children from getting too close to camels, especially their faces. Avoid letting children touch sick-looking camels or baby camels, as young camels are more likely to carry MERS virus.
In areas where MERS is common, consider having children wear masks when visiting places with many camels, especially farms or markets.
Do not let children drink camel urine, which some people believe has medicinal properties. There is no scientific evidence for health benefits, and it carries disease risks.
Teach older children about animal safety. Explain why washing hands and avoiding certain foods is important. Children who understand the reasons are more likely to follow safety rules.
If your family plans to visit regions where camels are common, take extra care. Research the local disease situation before traveling. Pack hand sanitizer and remind children about hand washing. Choose restaurants and food vendors carefully, avoiding places that might serve unpasteurized products. Consider avoiding camel farms, camel markets, or other places with many camels, especially during spring when young camels are more numerous.
If you live where camels are raised, additional precautions help protect children. Keep children away from areas where camels give birth or where sick animals are kept. Teach children never to help with camel care without adult supervision and proper protective equipment. Store raw milk properly and always pasteurize or boil it before consumption. Maintain good hygiene in areas where camels are kept.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Your child develops a fever after being around camels or drinking unpasteurized camel milk. They have difficulty breathing or persistent cough after camel exposure. Joint pain and swelling appear, especially if they have consumed raw dairy products. They show signs of severe illness like very high fever, extreme tiredness, or dehydration.
When visiting the doctor, tell them about any contact your child had with camels or camel products. Mention if you live in or recently visited areas where camel diseases are common. This information helps doctors make the right diagnosis and start appropriate treatment quickly.
The doctor will ask questions about your child's symptoms and exposure to animals. They might take blood samples to test for specific infections. For respiratory symptoms, they may test samples from the nose or throat. Treatment depends on which disease your child has, but most of these infections can be treated successfully when caught early.
Final Thoughts
While camels can carry diseases that affect children, these illnesses are largely preventable with proper awareness and simple precautions. Camels are important animals for many communities around the world, providing valuable resources and services.
The key is finding a balance between appreciating these animals and protecting your family's health. By following food safety guidelines, practicing good hygiene, and being aware of risks in your area, you can keep your children safe while still allowing them to experience and learn about these remarkable animals.
Remember that not every child who comes near a camel will get sick. Most people interact with camels without any problems. However, awareness and prevention are always better than treatment.
Labels: Animals-Birds