The toxigenic strains of Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) produce toxins such as haemolytic and nonhaemolytic
toxins. Fresh milk, pasteurized milk and swab samples were collected from milking
utensils in a diary farm. Routine microbiological examination for B. cereus, antimicrobial
sensitivity tests and PCR detection of the Bacillus group specific genes and genes encoding
for haemolytic enterotoxin and non-hemolytic eneterotoxin genes were conducted. Bacillus
cereus was isolated from raw bulk mlik, pasteurized milk and milking utensils swabs collected.
Detection of B. cereus was higher in milking utensils compared to raw and pasteurized milk.
Bacillus cereus was also detected in corn-flavoured pasteurized milk and milking utensils of
dairy colonies. There were non-hemolytic enterotoxin gene positive isolates and most of them
were susceptible to Gentamicin, Chloramphenicol and Ciprofloxacin compare to other beta
lactam antibiotics. As control and prevention stratgies, increase in public awareness through
public education, proper hygiene practices in farms and dairy processing plants, regular
surveillance and quality control including intensive screening for milk and milk products need
to be in place. However, further in-depth study based on larger and diversified sample and
detection of other toxigenic genes are recommended.