Raw dairy products may cause brucellosis
Mar 21, 2006
YOGHURT can be refreshing, but only if, it is clean and germ-free. Health experts say by consuming bacterial infested yoghurt, you risk your life to a disease called brucellosis.
By Carol Natukunda
YOGHURT can be refreshing, but only if, it is clean and germ-free. Health experts say by consuming bacterial infested yoghurt, you risk your life to a disease called brucellosis.
What is brucellosis?
Dr. Olico Okui, a lecturer at Makerere University Institute of Public Health, describes it as a disease caused by bacteria known as brucella.
He says although it is mainly an animal disease, it can also be passed on to human beings.
“Brucellosis cannot be transmitted from one person to another, but rather from an infected animal,†Okui says.
How widespread is it?
Although there is no prior study, the 2006 statistics by the country indicate brucellosis in man is at a prevalence rate of 7% in Uganda.
At AAR health services, statistics show that only one case is received per one or two months.
Dr. Nathan Tumwesigye of the regional center for quality health care at Mulago hospital, however, says brucellosis could be more common among tribes whose major occupation is animal keeping. “It is obvious that those who are in direct contact with animals are a lot more vulnerable,†he says.
How is it transmitted?
Okui says the brucellosis is acquired through ingestion of raw milk or unpasteurised dairy products like yoghurt, cheese and butter among others.
“When your cow or goat is infected, their milk or meat is contaminated with bacteria. If the milk is not pasteurised, the bacteria is transmitted to through the yoghurt and cheese made from that milk,†Okui explains.
Benson Ndemere, a veterinary doctor and proprietor of a livestock drug shop in the city, however, says touching an infected animal can also be detrimental.
“Sometimes, the disease can be transmitted through mere touch of those ‘impure’ products or the infected animal itself-if you have wounds on your skin,†he says.
Symptoms
According to a 2005 study by the National Center for Infectious Diseases in the US, brucellosis can cause a wide range of symptoms that are similar to flu or fever.
The study says they are characterised by continued, recurring headache, weakness, profuse sweating, chills, depression, fatigue, weight loss and generalised aching.
Brucellosis, the study adds, can also cause severe infections of organs like the central nervous system or on the lining of the heart.
Is brucellosis a sign of HIV/AIDS?
Dr. Nicholas Lukwago, a physician at Bugolobi Diagnostic Center doesn’t think brucellosis is a sign of HIV\AIDS. “An individual may suffer from brucellosis and is HIV negative. It is just that usually, a person living with HIV/AIDS is more susceptible to a lot of diseases, which may include brucellosis. Otherwise, you cannot stick together the two diseases,†he says.
Treatment
Because brucellosis symptoms are much similar to fever or malaria, many people quickly take the wrong medication.
Halima, who has just recovered from the disease confesses, “For three months, I would swallow anti-malaria tablets, but nothing ever seemed to work; I would fall sick again almost instantly. I sweated profusely and got tired of my self. When I finally went to AAR, the doctor said I had brucellosis.â€
Dr. Geoffrey Okello, a physician at Kampala Healthcare Clinic, Kyadondo, advises that treatment can be prescribed after a thorough blood diagnosis. “It is not enough to have aches all over and you make your own conclusions. Blood has to be tested to find out what kind of bacteria is there. If it is confirmed that it is brucellosis, then normally antibiotics are prescribed,†he says.
He says testing for brucellosis at AAR or other health centres and private clinics, costs sh10,000.
Prevention
Increasingly, there are reports that much of the locally packaged yoghurt could be having bacterial content.
In his research project, Suitability of Locally Packaged Food for Human Consumption, Hillary Bitakalamire, a public health postgraduate student at Makerere University, says 83.3% of all the sampled packages in the central region were found to be infected with bacteria on testing — “thus not fit for human consumption.â€
Dr. Okello says it is important to watch out for pasteurised yoghurt, milk or ice cream. “If you are not sure, especially of the locally packaged items, it is better you do not take it to be on a safe side,†he advises.
Okui says, “Make sure the milk boils for about five minutes until you see the bubbles. Do not just heat it up on the fire and take it off immediately. You would never be sure the bacteria has been killed.†He says those who are usually in direct contact with the infected animals should wear protective garments like gloves. “Animals should also be vaccinated to guard against infection-spreading to man.â€
Making yoghurt at home
Get a clean saucepan
Pour in fresh milk with no added water. It should contain nothing, but milk
Don’t use spoilt milk
Boil up to about 180 degrees. As it boils stir continuously so that there is even heating.
The purpose of this is to kill bacteria
Leave it to cool, you may cover with a clean cloth sieve.
Ensure that it keeps warm for about 12 hours
If the yoghurt is successful, put it in a refrigerator to cool
YOGHURT can be refreshing, but only if, it is clean and germ-free. Health experts say by consuming bacterial infested yoghurt, you risk your life to a disease called brucellosis.
What is brucellosis?
Dr. Olico Okui, a lecturer at Makerere University Institute of Public Health, describes it as a disease caused by bacteria known as brucella.
He says although it is mainly an animal disease, it can also be passed on to human beings.
“Brucellosis cannot be transmitted from one person to another, but rather from an infected animal,†Okui says.
How widespread is it?
Although there is no prior study, the 2006 statistics by the country indicate brucellosis in man is at a prevalence rate of 7% in Uganda.
At AAR health services, statistics show that only one case is received per one or two months.
Dr. Nathan Tumwesigye of the regional center for quality health care at Mulago hospital, however, says brucellosis could be more common among tribes whose major occupation is animal keeping. “It is obvious that those who are in direct contact with animals are a lot more vulnerable,†he says.
How is it transmitted?
Okui says the brucellosis is acquired through ingestion of raw milk or unpasteurised dairy products like yoghurt, cheese and butter among others.
“When your cow or goat is infected, their milk or meat is contaminated with bacteria. If the milk is not pasteurised, the bacteria is transmitted to through the yoghurt and cheese made from that milk,†Okui explains.
Benson Ndemere, a veterinary doctor and proprietor of a livestock drug shop in the city, however, says touching an infected animal can also be detrimental.
“Sometimes, the disease can be transmitted through mere touch of those ‘impure’ products or the infected animal itself-if you have wounds on your skin,†he says.
Symptoms
According to a 2005 study by the National Center for Infectious Diseases in the US, brucellosis can cause a wide range of symptoms that are similar to flu or fever.
The study says they are characterised by continued, recurring headache, weakness, profuse sweating, chills, depression, fatigue, weight loss and generalised aching.
Brucellosis, the study adds, can also cause severe infections of organs like the central nervous system or on the lining of the heart.
Is brucellosis a sign of HIV/AIDS?
Dr. Nicholas Lukwago, a physician at Bugolobi Diagnostic Center doesn’t think brucellosis is a sign of HIV\AIDS. “An individual may suffer from brucellosis and is HIV negative. It is just that usually, a person living with HIV/AIDS is more susceptible to a lot of diseases, which may include brucellosis. Otherwise, you cannot stick together the two diseases,†he says.
Treatment
Because brucellosis symptoms are much similar to fever or malaria, many people quickly take the wrong medication.
Halima, who has just recovered from the disease confesses, “For three months, I would swallow anti-malaria tablets, but nothing ever seemed to work; I would fall sick again almost instantly. I sweated profusely and got tired of my self. When I finally went to AAR, the doctor said I had brucellosis.â€
Dr. Geoffrey Okello, a physician at Kampala Healthcare Clinic, Kyadondo, advises that treatment can be prescribed after a thorough blood diagnosis. “It is not enough to have aches all over and you make your own conclusions. Blood has to be tested to find out what kind of bacteria is there. If it is confirmed that it is brucellosis, then normally antibiotics are prescribed,†he says.
He says testing for brucellosis at AAR or other health centres and private clinics, costs sh10,000.
Prevention
Increasingly, there are reports that much of the locally packaged yoghurt could be having bacterial content.
In his research project, Suitability of Locally Packaged Food for Human Consumption, Hillary Bitakalamire, a public health postgraduate student at Makerere University, says 83.3% of all the sampled packages in the central region were found to be infected with bacteria on testing — “thus not fit for human consumption.â€
Dr. Okello says it is important to watch out for pasteurised yoghurt, milk or ice cream. “If you are not sure, especially of the locally packaged items, it is better you do not take it to be on a safe side,†he advises.
Okui says, “Make sure the milk boils for about five minutes until you see the bubbles. Do not just heat it up on the fire and take it off immediately. You would never be sure the bacteria has been killed.†He says those who are usually in direct contact with the infected animals should wear protective garments like gloves. “Animals should also be vaccinated to guard against infection-spreading to man.â€
Making yoghurt at home
The purpose of this is to kill bacteria