Public Health Risk of Cow Milk Microbial Contamination Versus Hygiene Habits Impact Analyses of Cow Milkers

Six bacteria species, associated with raw milk contamination were comparatively assessed in rural-peri urban case study using standard laboratory microscopy. Entirely 80 milk samples, ~ 500ml were screened from Mampong Zongo and Daaho peri urban cattle husbandry communities within the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Bacterial spots discovered in the milk for relative contamination (cfu/ml) at dilution factor of 10 -5 were: 208 (12.76), 28 (12.62), 263 (5.98), 217 (14.39), 163.5 (3.65) and 34.3 (3.27), respectively for total bacteria count, E. coli, Staphylococcus; Bacillus; Clostridium and Salmonella species. The microbial isolates were comparatively not significant (P-values > 0.05) although; Bacillus spp. predominated milk at both farms. The unhygienic traits of milk handlers contributed to cross contamination, predisposing consumers to high risks of bacterial infections. Farmers training on hygienic habits could urgently promote higher food chain safety standards. Environmental Health Departments have a major role on food hygiene public education during routine nutrition action plans in these peri urban communities. Food and Drugs Authority in Ghana need to perform routine quality assessment of local milk products to control pathogenic infections.