TB Found In Fresh Milk In Accra

Large quantities of fresh cow milk sampled from four kraals at Ashale Botwe, near Accra, contain bovine tuberclulosis, which affects both human and cattle.

This was discovered through research conducted by the Cellular and Clinical Chemistry section of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) in 2003 and 2004.

Mr. Oti Gyamfi, a researcher, disclosed this to newsmen at the fist visit of Ms Christine Churcher, Minister of Environment and Science to the GEAC.

Mr. Gyamfi warned that food prepared from fresh cow milk could pose serious problems if the milk is not well pasteurized.

He said about 39 per cent of the milk screened in four selected kraals two years ago contained bovine tuberculosis while two kraals recorded 40.9 per cent of the same disease last year.

He said although results of the research were not representative enough to generalize for the whole country, “ there is the probability that bovine TB could be worse in other major cattle rearing areas in the country.

Mr. Gyamfi said the disease was a deadly on “ which could be a problem of care is not taken in time,” adding that “ already TB is a public health problem”.

The researcher disclosed that the center had currently taken samples of milk from 127 lactating cows for further research to ascertain how widespread the disease was.

He said the next stage for the research work was that “ we are going to the families of the herdsmen and probably some women who but fresh milk to prepare local foods such as 'fula' and 'wagashie' for sale.

He said it was rather unfortunate that the center was financially handicapped at that crucial moment of research saying “ some of these things are so frustrating to scientists and this is why the “brain drain still continues”.

He indicated that although the GEAC was doing so much for national development, very little attention was given to it.

Mr. Gyamfi mentioned electricity and water as the amenities The center needed most, apart from money saying, “The last time water flowed here was two weeks ago”.