Aflatoxin the Silent Killer

Dr Ruth Kirinyet is a Public Health Specialist with a keen interest in Epidemiology and Food Safety. She is a lecturer in Public Health and is a licensed Public Health Officer. She is keen on the implementation of sound public health interventions in the prevention and control of diseases that affect the community and the globe at large.

This book serves to shed some light on this 'killer toxin' that poses as a burden and is the leading cause of Hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) globally. The book illustrates the route of exposure to humans and how Aspergillus flavus contaminates animal feed and is 'carried over' to animal tissues. To date, there are no strategies for the elimination of the toxin once in the body of human or animal. Due to this, prevention of feed and feed ingredients from Aflatoxin contamination is of paramount importance. The first step in the journey towards elimination of the toxin is to have knowledge on the toxin, its causes and prevention. The second step is to apply appropriate strategies in the prevention of the growth of the fungi. The third step is mandatory testing of feed and feed ingredients and regular monitoring and surveillance. The fourth step is instigation of stringent maximum recommended limits on feed and feed ingredients and through policy formulation. Together we can beat this 'nightmare'. Special appreciation goes to my co-authors Dr Peterson Warute and Dr Purity Nguhiu who contributed greatly to the success of this work.