Screening for Salmonella spp. in food, water, and hands of households in Rumuwoji, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Faecal-oral chain transmission of Salmonella spp. was investigated in some homes of Port Harcourt to determine the possible route of typhoid fever and other infections of Salmonella spp. diagonized in recent times as reported. Salmonella spp. infection is becoming alarming with no detailed trace of its emergence in the house even after heavy hygiene practices have been observed. Considering the importance of food and water for human growth and development, a total of sixty (60) homes volunteered their household food, water and occupants' palms (hand) for microbiological examination. The study involved carrying out standard microbiological procedure that employed the use of Salmonella/Shigella growth media to screen for Salmonella spp. in food items namely: processed cassava products (garri and foo-foo), soup, palm oil, table salt, pepper, sachet water and in manually refilled bottle water and hands of occupants of the twenty homes. Results showed no visible growth of Salmonella spp. colonies, thus indicating the absence of Salmonella spp. in food and water materials in the home. Hence, the study showed evidently, good health conditions amongst households and the general public at large. The result therefore calls for further screening of other foods purchased from the market and transferred to the house.