Biosecurity Measures in Meat and Milk Value Chains A Case Study in Koinadugu District, Northern Sierra Leone

This study assesses the level of vulnerability to zoonotic diseases and factors influencing implementation of biosecurity measures among meat and milk value chain actors.  The study was conducted in Koinadugu and Falaba Districts (main ruminant production areas) in Sierra Leone. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to test knowledge, attitude and practices of value chain actors to zoonotic diseases. A total of 87 chain actors were involved in the study including 13 livestock traders, 20 butchers, 16 slaughterhouse workers, 17 transporters  and 21 milk traders. Data was analyzed by simple descriptive statistics.   Chain actors in the study indicate a fair knowledge about zoonotic disease symptoms and biosecurity measures. Brucellosis, Bovine Tuberculosis, Anthrax, Salmonellosis, Cystecercosis and rabies were reported. However, adoption of biosecurity measures was very low due to low level of education, lack of training and inadequate extension services, high cost of personal protective equipment (PPE) and inadequate enforcement of regulations by local authorities.  According to this study the use of PPEs by milk traders was 23.8%, butchers 20%, slaughterhouse workers 18.8%, transporters 11.8%, and traders 7.7%.The low level of biosecurity measures indicates high risk for the spread of zoonotic diseases. However adequate support services can help reduce the risk.&nbsp