PREVALENCE OF Salmonella spp IN SOME ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLES FROM SOME HOUSEHOLDS ENGAGED IN LIVESTOCK FARMING IN SOME PARTS OF ZARIA, NIGERIA.

Salmonella outbreaks from contaminated water and non animal foods (e.g. produce) are increasingly reported. To address the environment as a potential source of pathogenic Salmonella,  the prevalence of Salmonella in households engaged in livestock farming in Zaria, Kaduna State (Nigeria) was investigated. A total of 336 environmental samples comprising water, soil, manure and vegetable samples were collected from thirty households with livestock while three households without livestock were used as control. Sampling was done from March to September 2006 covering both wet and dry seasons. Seven Salmonella spp were obtained: 1(0.65%) during the dry season and 6(3.28%) during the wet season. Salmonella spp were detected from manure, water and vegetable samples. A prevalence rate of 2.08% was obtained for Salmonella spp in the study location. The rate of detection was higher in the wet season than in the dry season. The detection of this pathogen from the environment represents a potential health risk factor since man is always in continuous interaction with the environment