Detection of Brucella spp. in raw milk from various livestock species raised under pastoral production systems in Isiolo and Marsabit Counties, northern Kenya

Brucellosis is an important zoonotic disease in Kenya, and identifying the causative Brucella bacteria in milk is important in assessing the risk of exposure in people. A new study published in Tropical Animal Health and Production (Sept 2020) is the first in Kenya to test for Brucella spp. directly from milk using real-time polymerase chain reaction without culturing the bacteria.

The cross-sectional study involved analysis of pooled milk samples from 175 households in the pastoral counties of Marsabit and Isiolo in Kenya. It detected Brucella abortus in goats, suggesting transmission of brucellosis between cattle and goats. The observed high prevalence of Brucella spp. presents a significant public health risk, pointing to the need for targeted disease control interventions.