Wild Meat in the City, Health Risks and Implications

My thesis reports on the likelihood that poachers, wild meat sellers and consumers along urban wild meat value chains could be exposed to disease causing pathogens from wild meat (zoonotic foodborne pathogen). I have documented two pathogens, E. coli and Coxiella burnetii, as some of the pathogens present on wild meat supplied within the Nairobi Metropolis. I further outline how the Nairobi Metropolis' wild meat value chain structure, its operation, governance, the hygiene and food safety practices by the value chain actors increases the likelihood of human exposure to these pathogens, and, consequently, of becoming ill. My data provides evidence against which policies can be designed to address the health hazards that could emerge from wild meat as well as addressing the underlying drivers for wild meat use, food insecurity. My findings can be leveraged to promote prevention, preparedness towards, and response to wild meat-borne disease outbreaks within human population in the city.

Phyllis Sherril Masudi

The candidate for the defence "Wild Meat in the City, Health Risks and Implications"