Study on the Prevalence and Public Health Importance of Salmonella From Chicken Table Eggs
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2010-06-01
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
A study was conducted on 400 chicken table eggs from Kombolcha Poultry Multiplication and
Breeding Center and market at Kombolcha, Ethiopia from October 2009 to April 2010. The
objectives were to determine prevalence and public health importance of salmonella from
chicken table eggs. A total of 400 samples of egg shell and egg content were collected. The
samples were examined for the presence of Salmonella following standard technique and
procedures outlined by the International Organization for standardization. Out of the 400 eggs
examined for Salmonella, 46 (11.5%) were positive of which 25 (6.3%) were from egg shcll and
27 (6.8%) were from egg content. The prevalence of salmonella on egg shell before fumigation
was 14% and was negative after fumigation with aldehyde. A questionnaire based survey was
carried out on egg storage, preparation and egg consumption in households of Kombolcha town
during October/2009-April/2010. For this purpose, 130 consumers were randomly selected for
interview. According to the result shown, 6.2% of egg consumers liked to eat raw eggs and out
of 8 consumers (that ate raw eggs) 6 (4.6%) faced a problem after eating raw eggs and they
showed symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain and vomiting. Based on the result the majority
of the respondents used to store eggs in open containers, while 10% and 23% used refrigerators
and cool places, respectively. Boiling was the major egg cooking methods employed. In
conclusion the current study has shown that Salmonella are present in table eggs, both on eggs
shell and egg content. The prevalence of salmonella in egg shell and egg content between poultry
farm and kombolcha market shows variation. Fumigation of eggs with formalin drastically
reduced the rate of contamination of salmonella in egg shell and consumers must be aware of not
to consume raw eggs to prevent human infection with Salmonella.
Description
Keywords
Egg, Poultry farm, Salmonella, Prevalence, Kombolcha, Ethiopia