Harmful effects of aflatoxin and its impact on human health
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Date
2018-04
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East African Community
Abstract
Aflatoxin is highly toxic to human and causes liver cancer, slowed growth in children, weakens the body immune system to fight diseases and exacerbates infectious diseases such as hepatitis, human immunodefiency virus syndrome (HIV) and tuberculosis.
The EAC region experiences high temperatures and humidity which favors growth of aflatoxin producing fungi normally found in the soil. Contamination of food crops and food products occurs in all stages of food value chain from pre and post harvesting period, processing and storage stage.
The EAC population is prone to aflatoxin exposure through consumption of contaminated food and food products which leads to harmful health effects. Exposure to aflatoxin leads to acute aflatoxicosis that may lead to death. In 2016, about 14 deaths resulting from aflatoxicosis were reported in Dodoma and Manyara regions of the United Republic of Tanzania. In 2004, 125 deaths associated with aflatoxin contamination were reported in the Makueni County, Republic of Kenya.
Description
EAC Policy Brief on Aflatoxin Prevention and Control
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Citation
East African Community. (2018). Harmful effects of aflatoxin and its impact on human health. Policy Brief No. 1, 2018, East African Community