In a follow-up to a report Wednesday of a human case of brucellosis in Rila, Bulgaria, the regional health inspectorate in Kyustendil say the number people infected have increased to at least 11, according to a Focus Information Agency report.

All the infected people were adults and are receiving treatment for the bacterial infection.

“Most often transmission occurs through consumption of non-thermally processed milk and dairy products. People looking after sick animals are also in danger,”Professor Todor Kantardzhiev, Director of the National Centre for Infectious and Parasite Diseases said.

Health officials call on the public to be vigilant against brucellosis, particularly those exposed to animals.

Dr Georgi Chobanov with the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency said, “There is an order issued by the Executive Director of the Bulgarian Agency for Food Safety for declaring an outbreak of brucellosis in animals occurred in the town of Rila. In this regard were ordered measures to curb the outbreak of the disease.”

At least 15 goats had to be euthanized due to the infection.