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 Simple
changes in farming methods could prevent large
numbers of childhood deaths in the developing
world from diseases like malaria, diarrhoea,
hepatitis B and liver cancer, a Leeds professor
has found.
Professor Chris Wild (pictured left)
believes that changing how crops are dried
and stored could help reduce the spread of
a fungus that produces a food toxin called
aflatoxin. Working with scientists and farmers
in Benin and Togo and colleagues in the University’s
molecular epidemiology unit, he discovered
that childhood exposure to aflatoxin was linked
to impaired growth, a widespread problem in
these countries, which makes children more
susceptible to disease.
The fungus which produces aflatoxin grows
on crops like maize and peanuts when they
are stored for long periods in hot climates.
As these foods are staples in West Africa,
there is no way of escaping exposure to the
toxin.
Professor Wild's work, published recently
in the British Medical Journal and
International Journal of Epidemiology,
found that exposure to aflatoxin increased
significantly when children are weaned off
breast milk and onto solid foods, a critical
time for development and growth.
Professor Wild said: "Almost half the
children born in parts of West Africa die
before the age of five. While the high child
mortality rate can't be attributed to aflatoxin
alone, its impact appears significant. These
children are consuming higher levels of this
powerful toxin than is permitted for cattle
in the European Union. If the toxin level
can be reduced through simple changes in farming
methods, then it could have a significant
impact in increasing childhood resistance
to disease."
Making
food safer – Mamadou Diallo (above),
who collaborates with Chris Wild,
talks with local mothers and their children
at a market near Kindia in Guinea, West Africa
By
thorough drying of crops on mats in the sun,
followed by storage in natural fibre bags
rather than plastic, and laying these bags
above the ground on wooden palettes, Professor
Wild believes aflatoxin levels would drop.
He is currently working with local scientists
and farmers in Guinea, West Africa to evaluate
the impact of these changes
"These changes offer a very low cost
and sustainable way to help fight disease
and childhood mortality," said Professor
Wild.
The study was funded by the USA National Institute
of Environmental Health Sciences.
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