Milk was a major vehicle for which disease?

• A. All of the above
• B. Tuberculosis (M. bovis)
• C. Brucellosis
• D. Diarrheal diseases

Answer: (A)

Milk can harbor pathogens when it comes from infected animals or is mishandled, especially if consumed raw. Historically, unpasteurized milk transmitted bovine tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis, and it also spread brucellosis from Brucella species. In addition, diarrheal illnesses have been linked to contaminated milk through enteric pathogens such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, and certain E. coli strains. Because milk has been a vehicle for all of these categories of disease, the option that includes all of the above is the best choice. Pasteurization and proper dairy hygiene dramatically reduce these risks by killing or inactivating the organisms.