Josue Maldonado Angeles

Title: Traditional raw milk beverages as an underrecognized exposure route to brucella spp. in an endemic region of mexico

Abstract

Background: Brucellosis remains a significant zoonotic disease worldwide, particularly in endemic regions where traditional food practices persist. In Mexico, the consumption of raw milk products continues despite established control programs, potentially sustaining human exposure to Brucella spp.. One such practice is the consumption of pajarete, a traditional raw milk–based beverage widely consumed in the state of Jalisco.

Objective: To assess the public health implications of pajarete consumption as a potential route of human exposure to Brucella spp. within an endemic setting.

Methods: A documentary and epidemiological analysis was conducted using peerreviewed scientific literature, official surveillance reports, regulatory frameworks, and regional epidemiological data from 2022–2025. Sources were selected from recognized databases and governmental health institutions, focusing on foodborne transmission, raw milk consumption, and brucellosis trends in Jalisco.

Results: The analysis identified multiple risk factors associated with pajarete consumption, including absence of pasteurization, limited sanitary control at the production level, and inadequate hygienic conditions during preparation. Epidemiological data revealed a sustained increase in reported human brucellosis cases in Jalisco, with higher incidence in regions characterized by intense dairy production and widespread informal milk consumption. Sociocultural attachment to traditional practices and economic constraints were identified as major barriers to effective risk communication and disease prevention.

Conclusions: Traditional raw milk beverages such as pajarete represent an underrecognized yet relevant exposure pathway for human brucellosis in endemic regions. Addressing this risk requires culturally sensitive, One Health–oriented strategies that integrate animal health control, food safety measures, and community-based education without undermining local traditions.