Information needs and sources for ebola virus disease among staff of a college of medicine in ENUGU, Nigeria

This study was carried out to ascertain the information needs and sources for Ebola among staff of College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Enugu. The study adopted the descriptive survey design. A total of 200 questionnaires were used to elicit information from the respondents. The 200 questionnaire were administered to the respondents and all the responses were retrieved accordingly for data analysis. The data were analyzed using percentages. Findings showed that a good number of the respondents correctly identified best preventive measures against Ebola as avoiding raw foods especially under cooked meat and washing hands regularly with soap or use of hand sanitizers. This show the respondents are aware of the disease. Information is needed most on the causes of Ebola virus and television and radio were major sources of information on Ebola. In conclusion, the study noted that there is need for planned and proper dissemination of information on of Ebola Virus Disease. This will help the citizens to prevent the disease as well as manage any outbreak.

Sanitary Practices and Occurrence of Zoonotic Conditions in Cattle at Slaughter in Morogoro Municipality; Tanzania: Implications for Public Health

Abstract:As meat consumption is increasing worldwide to cover for protein demands; also raise concerns and challenges regarding meat hygiene and safety. The current one year follow up study aimed at investigating on sanitary practices and occurrence of zoonotic conditions; during postmortem examination; in cattle at slaughter in Morogoro Municipality abattoir. Sanitary practices were assessed through direct observation where as routine post-mortem inspection procedures were employed to detect zoonotic conditions in cattle at slaughter. During the study period a total of 30;713 cattle were slaughtered and inspected at the abattoir. Results revealed poor hygienic practices at the level of abattoir surrounding; the slaughter operation area; personnel as well as meat vans. Whole carcasses; lungs; livers; hearts and heads were condemned due to zoonotic conditions at rates of 0.026; 1.96; 1.61; 0.02 and 0.21 respectively. Bovine tuberculosis; Cysticercus bovis check for this species in other resources cysts; fasciolosis and hydatidosis were the responsible zoonotic conditions for the condemnations. Bovine tuberculosis was a leading zoonotic cause of condemnations accounting for 95.7 of lungs and 100 of all head and carcass condemnations. Cysticercus bovis cysts were ranking the second in serving as causes of condemnations closely followed by fasciolosis and lastly hydatidosis. Occurrence of disease conditions with zoonotic implication in cattle at slaughter; meant for human consumption; may pose significant economic and public health risks to especially disaster-prone marginalized communities. Thus; there is a need to introduce appropriate control measures of livestock diseases to minimize the rate of infection; and eventually reduce economic losses and safeguard public health

Prevalence of Arcobacter, Escherichia Coli, Staphylococcus Aureus and Salmonella Species in Retail Raw Chicken, Pork, Beef and Goat Meat in Osogbo, Nigeria

Three hundred (300) samples of fresh raw chicken; beef; goat and pork meat were screened for Arcobacter species by selective cultural procedures and for Escherichia coli; Salmonella species and Staphylococcus aureus enriched in peptone water and then streaked onto appropriate bacteriological agar. From the 300 samples analysed; S. aureus {138 (46)} was the most frequently isolated organism; followed by E. coli {78 (26)}; Arcobacter spp. {57(19)} and Salmonella spp {6(2)}. In this study; varying level of resistance of Escherichia coli 66(84.6); Salmonella 6(100) and Arcobacter 57(100) to amoxicillin was observed. The susceptibility pattern indicates that the bacterial isolates exhibited a varying level of resistance to two or more antimicrobial agents with maximum resistance to amoxicillin. The detection of these organisms in meat may constitute a serious public health concern. Hence; there is a need for the implementation of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point System monitoring of critical contamination points used in meat production to ensure food safety in Nigeria

Occurrence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Retail Raw Meat Products in Ethiopia

Background: Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157:H7) is now recognized as a major cause of diarrhoea; hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic-uremic syndrome worldwide. Consumption of raw or undercooked meat of bovine origin has been the most common means of transmitting this organism. Methodology: Over a period of 7 months (October 2006 to April 2007); a total of 738 raw meat samples were collected from bovines (n= 250); sheep (n=243) and goat (n=245) and investigated for the presence of E. coli O157: H7. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion method. Results: E. coli O157:H7 were isolated from 31 (4.2) out of 738 meat samples examined. Among meat samples examined; the highest prevalence (8) was recorded in beef; followed by lamb and mutton (2.5) and goat meat (2). The isolated strains were found to be susceptible (100) to amikacin; chloramphenicol; gentamicin; kanamycin; nalidixic acid; norfloxacin; polymyxin B and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Multidrug resistance to three or more drugs was detected in 7/31 (22.6) strains. Conclusions: The results of this study revealed the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in retail raw meats reaching consumers; indicating possible risks of infection to people through the consumption of raw/under-cooked meat or cross-contamination of other food products. Coordinated actions are needed to reduce or eliminate the risks posed by this organism at various stages in food chain. Multiple drug resistant isolates detected in the present study may pose a threat to humans and further limit therapeutic options