Abstract:
Non-Typhoidal Salmonella represents an important human and animal pathogen world-wide.
Most human non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) cases are foodborne, but each year infections are
also acquired through direct or indirect animal contact. Epidemiological information on the
prevalence of Salmonella is a prerequisite to develop appropriate control strategies. A cross sectional study was conducted from July 2022 to January 2023 to isolate and perform
Antimicrobial susceptibility test of NTS from raw cow milk and assessment of hygienic practices
in Gursum District, Eastern Hararge, Ethiopia. A total of 480 samples were collected from 40
from each samples namely bucket swab, hands swab of milk handlers and milk. Samples were
microbiologically examined and isolates were biochemically tested. Additionally antimicrobial
susceptibility test were done using disc diffusion technique. The total prevalence of NT Salmonella
was 11.7% (56/480). The proportion of Salmonella isolates from different samples were, 13.7%,
12.5%, 13.7% and 8.8% for bucket, milk and hand swabs respectively. The higher Salmonella
isolation from the bucket of Abadir and Funyan Bira kebeles with equal and result of 8(20%).
There is no significance difference for isolation of NTS among all study variables. All isolates
were resistant at least two or more to Tetracycline, Ampicillin and Penicillin with rate of 91.07%,
82.14 and 73.21 respectively. Almost all isolates were sensitive to Chloramphenicol (100%),
Nalidixic acid (91.07 %) and Ciprofloxacin (91.07%). Regarding questionnaire majority of
respondent were female 95%, 83% of milk handlers in study area were illiterate. Based on
knowledge, attitude and practices consideration, some of them was milking the caw while sick
20%, 100% of respondent wash udder before milking whereas majority (85%) of them clean their
hand and 90% engaged well in milking equipment’s. The highest isolation was from milk and milk
contacting surfaces at market (Funyan Bira). The highest percentage of Salmonella isolates were
resistant at least to one of the antibiotics tested.
