Investigation Of Some Locally Consumed Bushmeat For Microorganisms Of Public Health Importance

ABSTRACT

Some locally consumed bush meats were investigated for organism of public health importance. A total of 10 bush meat samples were collected from different selling points in Umuahia, Abia State. The isolated bacteria species after microbial analysis were Escherichia coli, Staphylococcu aureus, Bacillus spp, Klebsiella  spp, Streptococcus and Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus. The E. coli count ranged from 1.6x104 to 8.6x104 cfu/ml, the coliform count ranged from 1.0x104 to 7.9x104  cfu/ml while the total heterotrophic count ranged from 1.5x105 to 8.0 x105 cfu/ml. The frequency and percentage occurrence of  Staphylococcus aureus is 10 (40%) Bacillus 5 (20%), Escherichia coli 4 (16%), Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus 3 (12%), Streptococcus spp 2 (8%), and  Klebsiella spp 1 (4%) showed the lowest frequency range.  The presence of these   organisms in meat and meat products should receive particular attention, because their presence indicate public health hazard and give warning signal for the possible occurrence of food borne intoxication and infection.