Omran Faour(1)* and Maher Oda Bashi(2)
(1). Department of Animal Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hama University, Hama, Syria.
(2). Department of Public Health and Prevention Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hama University, Hama, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Dr. Omran faour, E.mail: omran.faour@gmail.com ).
Received: 13/09/2023 Accepted: 19/12/2023
Abstract:
Contamination of cow milk by Salmonella is a risk source to health of consumers because it causes food poisoning when it is consumed, so this study aimed to determine the prevalence of contamination by Salmonella in cow milk in the markets of Hama city. The study was conducted on 120 samples of cow milk offered for sale in shops in the markets of Hama city, which were collected randomly from different parts of city (east – west – north – south) with equal numbers. The results of bacterial isolation and biochemical tests showed that 8 samples of cow milk out of 120 samples taken from the markets of Hama city were positive. The overall prevalence of contamination by Salmonella in cow milk in Hama city was 6.67%. The highest prevalence of contamination by Salmonella was in east part, reaching 13.33%, while the lowest prevalence of contamination by Salmonella was in west and south parts, where it amounted to 3.33%. These results are an indication of a risk on the health of consumers, as Salmonella is among the pathogens of foodborne diseases, which threat public health in community.
Key words: cow milk, salmonella, microbial contamination, Hama city.
Full Paper in Arabic: pdf