Rhodococcus equi Isolated From Raw Camel Milk

During a routine microbiological investigation of forty raw camel milk samples from one of Dubai’s camel dairy farm for its suitability for human consumption, nine milk samples were contaminated with Rhodococcus equi. As this pathogen is a soil-borne bacteria, it was assumed that the contamination of the milk occurred via dust particles which are in the air during sand storms. Although the level of contamination was low and all other tested values of the milk were in the reference range, it was advised not to consume the milk, if Rhodococcus equi is present in the milk.