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

Enock Magoke Ndaki; John Bwalya Muma; Ethel M'kandawire; Grace Musawa; Mercy Mukuma; Ezron Karimuribo; Mkuzi Banda; Vistorina Benhard; Musso Munyeme; Chisoni Mumba

doi:10.53974/unza.jabs.6.2.915

Enock Magoke Ndaki University of Zambia, School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Disease Control, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
John Bwalya Muma University of Zambia, School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Disease Control, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
Ethel M'kandawire University of Zambia, School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Disease Control, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
Grace Musawa University of Zambia, School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Disease Control, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
Mercy Mukuma University of Zambia, School of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia
Ezron Karimuribo Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3151, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania
Mkuzi Banda Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency, P.O. Box 31302, Lusaka, Zambia
Vistorina Benhard Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Private Bag 12022, Auspannplatz, Windhoek, Namibia
Musso Munyeme University of Zambia, School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Disease Control, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
Chisoni Mumba University of Zambia, School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Disease Control, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka 10101, Zambia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4662-0876

DOI: https://doi.org/10.53974/unza.jabs.6.2.915

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, School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Disease Control, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka 10101, 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.

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