Bovine Mastitis- A Challenge to Combat

Samrah Tahir Khan*

Abstract

The milking done from healthy animals may be free of microbes but it can get contaminated at times from several external sources such as; the hands of the worker milking the animal, from the udder, that harbor several microorganisms; especially bacteria such as Staphylococci, Streptococci, Corynebacteria, Coliforms, Klebsiella, Salmonella and many other notorious members of microbe family. The teats and the udder get dirty and contaminated when get in contact with mud and dung and these two major sources serve as the primary cause for the acquisition of the germs from the milk. Another factor that makes milk more prone to for consumption and is responsible to cause harm to the animal as well as the humans that consume the milk is “Mastitis”. The cattle like goat, sheep, cow, buffalo etc are usually reported of “Mastitis”, causing morbidity and mortality worldwide, leading to huge economic loss to the countries, making it an issue of grave concern. The current review covers the ways and means by which the milk is transported and also discusses the various modes by which it gets contaminated while reaching the consumer. This review discusses in detail the proliferation, transmission and the disease causation by several bacteria responsible for mastitis.