Microbial safety of raw milk produced from informal dairy farms in Zimbabwe

This study was conducted to characterize the safety of raw milk from the informal dairy industry, with a focus on E. coli. The study examined E. coli for antimicrobial resistance genes, virulence factors, serotypes, antibiotic resistance pattern, ESBL generating capacity, and species relatedness. The study also calculated the risk of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) related with the ingestion of STEC-contaminated raw milk, as well as the potential sickness burden in Zimbabwe.