Prevalence and risk factors for Bacillus cereus in raw milk in Inner Mongolia, Northern China

The prevalence of Bacillus cereus in raw milk from dairy herds in Inner Mongolia and associated risk factors were determined. In total, 160 raw milk samples collected from 2014 to 2015 and examined by culture methods to isolate B.cereus. Fifty-five samples (34.38%) were positive. The prevalence of B.cereus in raw milk was significantly (P<0.01) lower in winter (15%) than in summer (50%). The highest prevalence of B.cereus in raw milk was seen in samples collected from small- to medium-sized dairy herds in summer. The results of this study indicated that B.cereus could be a common pathogen in Inner Mongolia because of its high prevalence. It is essential for dairy farmers and producers to strengthen hygienic practices in summer to control B.cereus contamination in raw milk. These results will be useful in establishing proper management procedures to reduce the prevalence of B.cereus in raw milk.