Isolation of Salmonella from poultry droppings and other environmental sources in Awka, Nigeria

Objective: A survey of Salmonella contamination of poultry droppings used as manure, retail fresh beef, fresh beef retailers' aprons and fresh beef retail tables, was carried, out. Design: A total of 120 samples of poultry droppings collected from five poultry farms, 96 fresh beef samples, 96 beef retailers' aprons and 96 fresh beef retail tables were examined for the presence of Salmonella species. Results: Different Salmonella serotypes were isolated from all the sources. Salmonella paratypi A had an isolation rate of 12.5% from poultry droppings, 4.2% from fresh beef, and 2.1% and 4.2% from meat retailers' aprons and tables respectively. Other serotypes isolated from the sources included S. typhimurium, S. enteritidis, S. gallinarum, S. pullorum, S. typhi and S. agama. Salmonella typhi was not isolated from poultry droppings throughout the survey. Conclusion: There is a need to create more environmental and personal hygiene awareness among the Nigerian populace, especially among food vendors. (c) 2004 International Society for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights-reserved.