Question

Which of the following are milk-borne zoonotic diseases?
A. Diphtheria
B. Malta Fever
C. Hay fever
D. Tuberculosis

• A. A, B and C only
• B. B, C and D only
• C. A, C and D only
• D. A, B and D only

Hint:

"Hay fever" is an allergic condition, not an infectious disease.
Eliminating all options containing "C" instantly leaves option (D) as the correct answer.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Milk-borne zoonoses are infectious diseases transmissible from animals to humans through the consumption of raw, unpasteurized milk or contaminated dairy products.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us review the transmission pathways of each of the listed conditions:
- A. Diphtheria: Caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, this infection can contaminate raw milk if handled by infected carriers.
Additionally, Corynebacterium ulcerans (which causes diphtheria-like symptoms) can cause mastitis in cows and be shed directly into milk.
Thus, it is considered a milk-borne zoonosis.
- B. Malta Fever: Also known as Brucellosis, this is a classic zoonotic disease caused by Brucella abortus, B. melitensis, or B. suis.
It is shed in high numbers in the milk of infected cows, goats, and sheep, making raw milk consumption a primary source of human infection.
Thus, it is a milk-borne zoonosis.
- C. Hay fever: This is an allergic rhinitis triggered by seasonal environmental allergens like pollen.
It is not an infectious disease, not zoonotic, and is not transmitted via milk.
Thus, it is excluded.
- D. Tuberculosis: Bovine tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium bovis, is shed directly into the milk of cows with tuberculous mastitis, causing extrapulmonary tuberculosis in humans who consume unpasteurized milk.
Thus, it is a milk-borne zoonosis.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Since A, B, and D are milk-borne zoonotic diseases, and C is not, the correct choice is (D).