dc.description.abstract | In North
-
Eastern Province, camel is the dominant livestock; it provides subsistence to many people
especially during the frequent droughts when other animals either die or are unthrifty. This is beca
use
camel
is highly suited for hot environments. In this region, camels number approximately 3 million and are
the main
producers of milk for the residents, who are mainly of Somali origin, and are pastoralists. Currentl
y, the milk
is also sold in Nairobi and
other far places; and there is a fast
-
growing demand for it. This has necessitated
examination of the milk quality, in response to food
-
safety awareness, especially noting that some of the
bacteria causing subclinical mastitis can cause disease in humans.
This study was carried out to establish
the hygienic quality of camel milk from this area, zeroing down to 2 districts, Garissa and Wajir. T
hree
hundred and eighty four bulk camel milk samples were collected in volumes of 200 to 300 ml. They wer
e
transport
ed to the laboratory in cold/ice boxes and bacterial isolation and characterization done not later
than 24 h after arrival at the laboratory. Before culturing, the milk samples were screened using Ca
lifornia
Mastitis Test (CMT); samples testing positive (a
n indication of subclinical mastitis) were then subjected to
bacteriological investigation, using standard methods. Results of this study have shown that subclin
ical
mastitis is prevalent in dromedary camels of Garissa and Wajir districts of North
-
Eastern
province of Kenya,
and that Gram
-
positive cocci (
Staphylococcus
and
Streptococcus)
are the dominant mastitis pathogens
isolated. Other isolated bacteria included Klebsiella/Enterobacter,
E
scherichia
coli
and
Bacillus.
The positive
correlation of CMT with the presen
ce of mastitis pathogens in camel milk showed that CMT is a useful
screening test in the detection of subclinical mastitis in camels; it is thus a useful tool for farm
ers, aiding
them in picking the affected animals, segregating and treating them. The resu
lts also contribute towards
coming up with respective control measures so as to keep camel milk fresh for longer periods and als
o
make it safe for human consumption | en_US |