Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences
Open Access

Consumption of raw animal milk as a source of human brucellosis in the Dhofar Governorate in the Sultanate of Oman

6^th International Conference and Exhibition on Nutrition

September 14-16, 2016 San Antonio, USA

Falah K Al-Ani, Salim Hardan and Zied Gaifer

A�Sharqiyah University, Oman
Communicable Disease Surveillance & Control, Oman
Sultan Quboos University Hospital, Oman

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Nutr Food Sci

Abstract :

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Brucella species. It is a worldwide problem, with significant public health and economic implications. The causative agent, a Gram-negative, facultative, intercellular bacterial pathogen, can cause serious infections in people and animals. The main Brucella species found in people of Dhofar Governorate, Sultanate of Oman as well as in the Middle East is Brucella melitensis and to lesser extent B. abortus. This zoonosis is easily transmitted from animals to humans by milk and milk products. In Oman, the epidemiological evidence indicated that at least 90% of human Brucella infections can be attributed to direct contact with infected livestock and to the consumption of contaminated raw milk and raw milk products. The objective of the study is to examine the sero-epidemiology of brucellosis in human beings and domestic animals, to isolate the causative agent from patients and milk products and then to put plans and means in which this disease might be prevented and controlled. Published data on human brucellosis in Dhofar Governorate indicated infection rate of 100 to 375 patients per year. During the year 2015, the Department of Communicable Diseases Surveillance & Control at Dhofar Governorate reported 343 clinical human cases of brucellosis at 8 Provinces of Dhofar Governorate. Among the 343 people, 21.5% of the patients in the age group of 2-10 years old, 50.1% are in the age group of 11-30 years old, 25% are in the age group of 31-50 years old and 3.4% are in the age group of 51 years old and over. All with the clinical signs of brucellosis have been referred to the hospitals for treatment. In addition to that other patients who are receiving treatment in private medical centers are not accounted in the report. Serological testing of animals at Dhofar Governorate indicates an incidence of 21%, 15% and 11% of brucellosis in goats, sheep and camels respectively.

Biography :

Falah K Al-Ani is a Professor of Pathology in A'Sharqiyah University, Oman. He has received his Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology in 1985 from the Kansas State University, USA.

Email: falahkalani@asu.edu.om