A Quantitative Risk Assessment of Human Exposure to Brucellosis Through the Consumption of Contaminated Raw Cow Milk in Arusha, Tanzania

  • Enock M Ndaki The University of Zambia
  • John Bwalya Muma The University of Zambia
  • Ethel M'kandawire The University of Zambia
  • Grace Musawa The University of Zambia
  • Mercy Mukuma The University of Zambia
  • Ezron Karimuribo Sokoine University of Agriculture
  • Mkuzi Banda The University of Zambia
  • Vistorina Benhard The University of Zambia
  • Musso Munyeme The University of Zambia
  • Chisoni Mumba University of Zambia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4662-0876
Keywords: Brucellosis, Quantitative risk assessment, Raw milk consumption, Tanzania

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the risk of exposure to brucellosis through the consumption of cow milk in the Arusha region, of Tanzania. Primary data related to milk consumption was collected through a structured questionnaire from 400 cattle farmers. Data was directly coded and entered into IBM SPSS version 20 and analysed for frequencies and descriptive statistics. Stochastic Monte Carlo simulation in @risk Software (Version 8.1) platform was used to estimate the risk of human exposure to brucellosis through the consumption of contaminated milk. Results revealed that 96.5% of the population consumed milk in three (3) portions: morning, afternoon, and night. More than 70% of the people in the area consume 500ml-1000ml of milk daily. People in rural settings (71%) reported consuming raw milk, compared to 10% of people in urban settings. The probability of getting infected with Brucella through the consumption of raw milk was estimated at 0.64 (95%CI 0.333-0.861). The model also predicted the number of people likely to get infected with Brucella in Arusha region in a one-year consumption period to be 1,084,358 (95%CI: 565,000-1458,000) out of 1,694,310 people following consumption of contaminated raw milk. The risk of exposure was estimated to be high when dairy cows were infected with Brucella at the farm and when the milk portions were consumed raw. The risk of human exposure to the brucella pathogen is high. To reduce the risk of human exposure, there is a need to create awareness about brucellosis in the study communities concerning how the disease is transmitted to humans, its associated effects, and the preventive and control measures. Further studies are required to assess the risk of exposure to brucellosis through other pathways, such as the consumption of soft cheese and contact with cattle.

Author Biography

Chisoni Mumba, University of Zambia
Chisoni Mumba, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher of Animal Health Economics at the University of Zambia, School of Veterinary Medicine. His research interests are in Animal Health Economics, Systems Thinking, and Participatory Epidemiology. He is currently working on the application of systems thinking to address dynamic and complex animal health problems so as to achieve long-term solutions and avoid unintended consequences.

References

Akakpo, A. J., Têko-Agbo, A., Koné, P., & others. (2010). The impact of brucellosis on the economy and public health in Africa. Compendium of Technical Items Presented to the OIE World Assembly of Delegates or to OIE Regional Commissions, 2009, file:///E:, 71–84.
Alonso, S., Dohoo, I., Lindahl, J., Verdugo, C., Akuku, I., & Grace, D. (2016). Prevalence of tuberculosis , brucellosis and trypanosomiasis in cattle in Tanzania : a systematic review and meta-analysis. 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1017/S146625231600013X
Bayramoglu, G., Ozalp, V. C., Oztekin, M., & Arica, M. Y. (2019). Rapid and label-free detection of Brucella melitensis in milk and milk products using an aptasensor. Talanta, 200(March), 263–271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2019.03.048
Bhankole, A. . (2013). Brucellosis risk assessment. 29–31.
Bodenham, R. F., Lukambagire, A. S., Ashford, R. T., Buza, J. J., Rubach, M. P., Sakasaka, P., Shirima, G. M., & Swai, E. S. (2020). Prevalence and speciation of brucellosis in febrile patients from a pastoralist community of Tanzania. Scientific Reports, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-62849-4
Chota, A. C., Magwisha, H. B., Stella, B., Bunuma, E. K., Shirima, G. M., Mugambi, J. M., Omwenga, S. G., Wesonga, H. O., Mbatha, P., Gathogo, S., Complex, V., & Muguga, C. (2016). PREVALENCE OF BRUCELLOSIS IN LIVESTOCK AND INCIDENCES IN HUMANS IN EAST AFRICA. African Crop Science Journal, 24(Supplement s1), 45–52. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/acsj.v24i1.5S
Corbel, M. et al. (2006). Brucellosis in humans and animals. World Health Organization 2006 All, 89. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.30.3.299
Dadar, M., Fakhri, Y., Shahali, Y., & Mousavi Khaneghah, A. (2020). Contamination of milk and dairy products by Brucella species: A global systematic review and meta-analysis. Food Research International, 128, 108775. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2019.108775
Dadar, M., Shahali, Y., & Whatmore, A. M. (2019). Human brucellosis caused by raw dairy products: A review on the occurrence, major risk factors and prevention. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 292(November 2018), 39–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2018.12.009
Davies, G., & Casey, A. (1973). The survival of Brucella abortus in milk and milk products. The British Veterinary Journal, 129(4), 345–353. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0007-1935(17)36436-9
De Figueiredo, P., Ficht, T. A., Rice-Ficht, A., Rossetti, C. A., & Adams, L. G. (2015). Pathogenesis and immunobiology of brucellosis: Review of Brucella-host interactions. American Journal of Pathology, 185(6), 1505–1517. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajpath.2015.03.003
Dereje, T., Benti, D., Feyisa, B., & Abiy, G. (2018). Review of common causes of abortion in dairy cattle in Ethiopia. Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, 10(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.5897/jvmah2017.0639
Ducrotoy, M., Bertu, W. J., Matope, G., Cadmus, S., Conde-Álvarez, R., Gusi, A. M., Welburn, S., Ocholi, R., Blasco, J. M., & Moriyón, I. (2017). Brucellosis in Sub-Saharan Africa: Current challenges for management, diagnosis and control. Acta Tropica, 165, 179–193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2015.10.023
El-wahab, E. W. A., Hegazy, Y., El-tras, W. F., Mikheal, A., & Kabapy, A. F. (2020). A multiple risk model for brucellosis at the human-animal interface in Egypt. https://doi.org/10.1111/tbed.13295
Franc, K. A., Krecek, R. C., & Häsler, B. N. (2018). Brucellosis remains a neglected disease in the developing world : a call for interdisciplinary action. 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-5016-y
Galińska, E. M., Zagórski, J., Em, G., & Brucellosis, Z. J. (2013). 233-238 in Humans-Etiology, Diagnostics, Clinical Forms. Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 20(2), 233–238. www.aaem.pl
Gibney, M. J., & Burstyn, P. G. (1980). Milk, serum cholesterol, and the Maasai. A hypothesis. Atherosclerosis, 35(3), 339–343. https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9150(80)90131-8
Gidel, R., Albert, J. P., Le Mao, G., & Retif, M. (1976). [Epidemiology of human and animal brucellosis in western Africa. The results of six studies in the Ivory Coast, Upper Volta, and Nigeria]. Developments in biological standardization, 31, 187–200.
Grützke, J., Gwida, M., Deneke, C., Brendebach, H., Projahn, M., Schattschneider, A., Hofreuter, D., El-Ashker, M., Malorny, B., & Dahouk, S. Al. (2021). Direct identification and molecular characterization of zoonotic hazards in raw milk by metagenomics using brucella as a model pathogen. Microbial Genomics. https://doi.org/10.1099/MGEN.0.000552
Hanuš, O., Kučera, J., Samková, E., Němečková, I., Čítek, J., Kopec, T., Falta, D., Nejeschlebová, H., Rysová, L., Klimešová, M., & Elich, O. (2021). Raw cow milk protein stability under natural and technological conditions of environment by analysis of variance. Foods, 10(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10092017
Jansen, W., Demars, A., Nicaise, C., Godfroid, J., de Bolle, X., Reboul, A., & Al Dahouk, S. (2020). Shedding of Brucella melitensis happens through milk macrophages in the murine model of infection. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-65760-0
John, K., Fitzpatrick, J., French, N., Kazwala, R., Kambarage, D., Mfinanga, G. S., MacMillan, A., & Cleaveland, S. (2010). Quantifying risk factors for human brucellosis in Rural Northern Tanzania. PLoS ONE, 5(4). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0009968
Kaden, R., Ferrari, S., Jinnerot, T., Lindberg, M., Wahab, T., & Lavander, M. (2018). Brucella abortus: Determination of survival times and evaluation of methods for detection in several matrices. BMC Infectious Diseases, 18(1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-018-3134-5
Kai, T. M. K., & Aotearoa, A. (2009). Microbiological Risk Assessment of Raw Cow Milk. Fsanz, December.
Karimuribo, E. D., Ngowi, H. A., Swai, E. S., & Kambarage, D. M. (2007). Prevalence of brucellosis in crossbred and indigenous cattle in Tanzania. Livestock Research for Rural Development.
Kouamé-Sina, S. M., Makita, K., Costard, S., Grace, D., Dadié, A., Dje, M., & Bonfoh, B. (2012). Hazard identification and exposure assessment for bacterial risk assessment of informally marketed milk in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Food and Nutrition Bulletin, 33(4), 223–234. https://doi.org/10.1177/156482651203300402
Kunda, J., Fitzpatrick, J., Kazwala, R., French, N. P., Shirima, G., MacMillan, A., Kambarage, D., Bronsvoort, M., & Cleaveland, S. (2007). Health-seeking behaviour of human brucellosis cases in rural Tanzania. BMC Public Health, 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-7-315
Levira, F., & Todd, G. (2017). Urban Health in Tanzania: Questioning the Urban Advantage. Journal of Urban Health, 94(3), 437–449. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-017-0137-2
Manyori, C. I., Mumba, C., Muma, J. B., Mwale, M. M., Munyeme, M., Bwanga, E. K., Häsler, B., Rich, K. M., & Skjerve, E. (2017). Quantitative risk assessment of developing salmonellosis through consumption of beef in Lusaka Province, Zambia. Food Control. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2016.10.027
Massis, F. De, Zilli, K., Di, G., Id, D., Nuvoloni, R., Pelini, S., Sacchini, L., Alterio, N. D., & Giannatale, E. Di. (2019). Distribution of Brucella field strains isolated from livestock , wildlife populations , and humans in Italy from 2007 to 2015. 1–16.
Mathew, C., Stokstad, M., Johansen, T. B., Klevar, S., Mdegela, R. H., Mwamengele, G., Michel, P., Escobar, L., Fretin, D., & Godfroid, J. (2015). First isolation , identification , phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Brucella abortus biovar 3 from dairy cattle in Tanzania. BMC Veterinary Research, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-015-0476-8
Melubo, K. (2020). Why are wildlife on the Maasai doorsteps ? Insights from the Maasai of Tanzania. https://doi.org/10.1177/1177180120947823
Méndez-González, K. Y., Hernández-Castro, R., Carrillo-Casas, E. M., Monroy, J. F., López-Merino, A., & Suárez-Güemes, F. (2011). Brucella melitensis survival during manufacture of ripened goat cheese at two temperatures. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease, 8(12), 1257–1261. https://doi.org/10.1089/fpd.2011.0887
Muma, J. B., Samui, K. L., & Oloya, J. (2007). Risk factors for brucellosis in indigenous cattle reared in livestock – wildlife interface areas of Zambia. 80, 306–317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2007.03.003
Musallam, I., Prisca, A., Yempabou, D., Ngong, C. C., Fotsac, M., Mouiche-mouliom, M., Marc, J., Feussom, K., Bosco, J., Ntakirutimana, D., Fane, A., Dembele, E., Doumbia, A., Akpemdo, A., Ayih-akakpo, P. S., Pato, P., Pali, M., Tapsoba, A. S. R., Minougou, G., … Guitian, J. (2019). Acta Tropica Brucellosis in dairy herds : A public health concern in the milk supply chains of West and Central Africa. Acta Tropica, 197(May), 105042. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105042
Muturi, M., Bitek, A., Mwatondo, A., Osoro, E., Marwanga, D., Gura, Z., Ngere, P., Nganga, Z., Thumbi, S. M., & Njenga, K. (2018). Risk factors for human brucellosis among a pastoralist community in South ‑ West. BMC Research Notes, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-018-3961-x
Njarui, D., Gatheru, M., Wambua, J., Hospital, L. C., & Nguluu, S. (2011). Consumption Patterns and Preference of Milk and Milk Products among Rural and Urban Consumers in Semi-Arid Kenya This article was downloaded by : On : 31 May 2011 Access details : Access Details : Free Access Publisher Routledge Ecology of Food and Nutrit. June 2016. https://doi.org/10.1080/03670244.2011.568908
Pappas, G., Papadimitriou, P., Akritidis, N., Christou, L., & Tsianos, E. V. (2006). The new global map of human brucellosis. 6(February), 91–99.
Spink, W. (1954). Family studies on Brucellosis. 127–140.
Teske, S. S., Huang, Y., Tamrakar, S. B., Bartrand, T. A., Weir, M. H., & Haas, C. N. (2011). Animal and Human Dose-Response Models for Brucella Species. Risk Analysis. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1539-6924.2011.01602.x
Wainaina, M., Aboge, G. O., Omwenga, I., Ngaywa, C., Ngwili, N., Kiara, H., Wamwere-Njoroge, G., & Bett, B. (2020). Detection of Brucella spp. in raw milk from various livestock species raised under pastoral production systems in Isiolo and Marsabit Counties, northern Kenya. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 52(6), 3537–3544. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-020-02389-1
Published
2023-02-28
How to Cite
1.
Ndaki E, Muma J, M’kandawire E, Musawa G, Mukuma M, Karimuribo E, Banda M, Benhard V, Munyeme M, Mumba C. A Quantitative Risk Assessment of Human Exposure to Brucellosis Through the Consumption of Contaminated Raw Cow Milk in Arusha, Tanzania. Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences [Internet]. 28Feb.2023 [cited 16Nov.2024];6(2). Available from: https://nscme.unza.zm/index.php/JABS/article/view/915
Section
Veterinary Medicine

Most read articles by the same author(s)