Milk and zoonoses

---

Extract from the article: The interaction between humans and animals in a shared environment encourages the exchange of pathogens that may be responsible for zoonoses. Zoonoses are defined as diseases in which the infectious agents are transmitted from animals to humans or vi

---

The interaction between humans and animals in a shared environment encourages the exchange of pathogens that may be responsible for zoonoses. Zoonoses are defined as diseases in which the infectious agents are transmitted from animals to humans or vice versa. Zoonoses can be transmitted in a number of ways, including through the ingestion or handling of contaminated food, which has a considerable impact on human health.

Although raw milk is a food we all love, it is an ideal environment for the growth of various infectious agents capable of transmitting zoonoses to humans. These include salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, tuberculosis and brucellosis, which can be transmitted through the consumption of unpasteurised or inadequately treated milk. 

Inadequate hygiene practices when handling dairy products can also contribute to contamination. Controlling sanitary practices throughout the production chain is therefore crucial to reducing these risks.

Prevention and control

Zoonosis prevention methods vary depending on the source of contamination; however, certain practices are recognised as being effective in reducing risks at both community and personal level. These include pasteurising milk and preparing dairy products such as wagashi before consumption. This eliminates most of the pathogens that may be present and helps to make dairy products safer for consumption; following good hygiene practices, including washing hands after contact with animals and before eating; making sure you eat good-quality dairy products from a safe source; having animals monitored by a vet, following the care given to animals (vaccination, treatment, waiting times, etc.), and above all avoiding the use of animal feed. .), and above all avoiding self-medication by animals; adopting good milking practices (cleaning teats, udders and milking equipment) and strictly following recommended hygiene practices; complying with drinking water and waste disposal standards, protecting surface water in the natural environment and maintaining a clean processing and marketing environment away from waste.

With the aim of preventing and/or reducing the risks of zoonoses linked to the consumption of dairy products, the NGO Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Suisse (VSF-Suisse) in collaboration with the NGO Gestion de l'Environnement et Valorisation des Produits Agro Forestiers (GEVAPAF), thanks to the financial support of ECOWAS and the Swiss Cooperation ;  work with government departments, universities and national partners on the ‘Wagashi sain pour une Optimisation des revenus des Ménages Exploitant le lait local au Nord Togo’ (WOMEN) project.  VSF-Suisse and its partners also support wagashi processors and resellers in northern Togo, through training and awareness-raising on good hygiene, milking and breeding practices. Support for government action is also part of this project.

William O.

Contacts for ordering good wagashi from cooperatives in the Savanes region (Togo)

Tel / WhatsApp : +228 93096504/ 90996998/93995375