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Camel milk is a neglected source of brucellosis among rural Arab communities

Author

Listed:
  • Peter Holloway

    (The Royal Veterinary College)

  • Matthew Gibson

    (The Royal Veterinary College)

  • Tanja Holloway

    (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine)

  • Iain Pickett

    (The Royal Veterinary College)

  • Brittany Crook

    (The Royal Veterinary College)

  • Jacqueline M. Cardwell

    (The Royal Veterinary College)

  • Stephen Nash

    (Karolinska Institutet)

  • Imadidden Musallam

    (The Royal Veterinary College)

  • Bilal Al-Omari

    (Jordan University of Science and Technology)

  • Ahmad Al-Majali

    (Jordan University of Science and Technology)

  • Wail Hayajneh

    (Saint Louis University)

  • Ehab Abu-Basha

    (Jordan University of Science and Technology)

  • Punam Mangtani

    (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine)

  • Javier Guitian

    (The Royal Veterinary College)

Abstract

The World Health Organization describes brucellosis as one of the world’s leading zoonotic diseases, with the Middle East a global hotspot. Brucella melitensis is endemic among livestock populations in the region, with zoonotic transmission occurring via consumption of raw milk, amongst other routes. Control is largely via vaccination of small ruminant and cattle populations. Due to sociocultural and religious influences camel milk (camelus dromedarius) is widely consumed raw, while milk from other livestock species is largely boiled. To investigate the potential public health impact of Brucella in camels we conduct a cross-sectional study in southern Jordan including 227 herds and 202 livestock-owning households. Here we show daily consumption of raw camel milk is associated with Brucella seropositive status among the study population, ORadj 2.19 (95%CI 1.23–3.94) on multivariable analysis, highlighting the need for socioculturally appropriate control measures; targeted interventions among the camel reservoir being crucial for effective control.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Holloway & Matthew Gibson & Tanja Holloway & Iain Pickett & Brittany Crook & Jacqueline M. Cardwell & Stephen Nash & Imadidden Musallam & Bilal Al-Omari & Ahmad Al-Majali & Wail Hayajneh & Ehab , 2025. "Camel milk is a neglected source of brucellosis among rural Arab communities," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-55737-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55737-2
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