Macro-bacterium bovis is transmitted from cattle to humans primarily through the consumption of unpasteurised (raw) milk or raw milk products containing the bacteria.
Pasteurisation is the process of heating liquids or foods to destroy all bacteria that are harmful to health and to ensure that milk and milk products are safe for human consumption.
Wesley said in Abuja that bovine tuberculosis could be contacted from cattle and that milk from cattle should first be pasteurised before drinking it.
He advised that raw milk and milk products should be adequately pasteurised to ensure their safety for human consumption.
The consultant also spoke on the benefits of drinking milk.
``Cow milk is a highly nutritious food, which is rich in several nutrients such as calcium, potassium, vitamins and protein. It is highly beneficial in the growth and development of bones,'' he said.
He said milk also helped in fighting against diseases such as gout, kidney stones, breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine headaches, amongst others.
``There are more than six billion consumers of milk and milk products, the majority of them in developing countries, as milk is a key contributor to improving nutrition and food security, particularly in developing countries,'' he said.
According to him, Nigeria's pastoral communities produce the bulk of domestic milk consumed in the rural and urban areas and they process the milk into various food products for sale.
``Considering the innumerable health benefits of cow milk and the high level of consumption in Nigeria, knowing about possible health hazards associated with the consumption of raw milk will be highly beneficial,'' he advised.
Reports say that in 2011, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimated that 85 per cent of all milk worldwide was produced by cows.
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