(KPL/Prensa Latina) The Ministry of Public Health of Ecuador remains on alert due to the appearance of six people infected with brucellosis, a disease caused by the Brucella bacteria, which causes flu-like symptoms.

The sick people were detected in the city of Ibarra, in the province of Imbabura, in the north of the country, and according to the health agency, they are not hospitalized and have not died.

“They are receiving specific treatment and outpatient medical follow-up. Their state of health is stable,” a statement said.

The Ministry of Health also detailed that the brucellosis outbreak arose in the Municipal Public Company of Slaughtering and Meat Products of Ibarra (EP-Fyprocai), however, that institution rejected the alert and considers that there is a lack of information to determine that the outbreak originated in those facilities.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), brucellosis affects people of all ages and both sexes.

Humans can become infected through direct contact with infected animals, mainly cattle, pigs, goats and sheep. In addition, by consuming raw milk or other unpasteurized dairy products.

So far, there are no indications that this disease is fatal.

KPL