Assessment of the Incidence of Public Health Hazardous Bacteria Salmonella and Escherichia coli in Different Fish Farms and Fish Markets of Dinajpur District of Bangladesh

Abstract

The research work was conducted to assess the incidence of Salmonella and Escherichia coli (E. coli) contamination in different fish farms and fish markets of Dinajpur district of Bangladesh, and to identify the sources of contamination with practical measures to reduce the level of contamination. The study was conducted for a period of seven months from March, 2017 to September, 2017. Samples were collected from eight Upazila of Dinajpur district at different fish farms and markets. Selected Upazila were Dinajpur Sadar, Kaharol, Parbotipur, Birol, Fulbari, Bochagong, Cirrirbondar, and Khansama. Two fish farms and fish markets were selected from each Upazila. Isolation and identification of Salmonella and E. coli were done by the conventional method that includes screening and biochemical tests. The results indicated that all of the collected samples were contaminated with Salmonella and E. coli bacteria both fish farms and fish markets. The level of incidence of Salmonella contamination was greater in scum samples (93.8%) and for E. coli the higher contamination found in water samples (81.3%) among fish farms samples. The study revealed that 87.5% water and 57.8% fish samples of fish farms samples were Salmonella positive and about 46.3% and 30.9% isolates were tested Salmonella positive for water and fish samples. On the other hand, E. coli contamination was also high and about 75% of scum and 75.6% of fish samples were positive whereas 24.8% and 41.6% isolates were tested E. coli positive for scum and fish samples. In case of market samples, Salmonella contamination was higher in basket samples (100%) and lower contamination found in fish samples (48.9%) whereas 43.01% and 28.6% isolates were tested Salmonella positive for basket and fish samples. Meanwhile, E. coli contamination for fish, basket, and mat samples were 75.6%, 68.8% and 75% respectively, and the isolates positive to E. coli were 35.8%, 21.52% and 36.4% for fish, basket and mat samples respectively. Fish farms condition were not satisfactory in terms of flood, sewage pollution, used of animal manure, feed and waste disposal, application of excessive fertilizer, lack of consciousness of farmers about personal hygiene and sanitation, and in fish markets, stalls, parking, spacing, sanitation, drainage and quality management systems were not improved. The results was very much alarming. It is important to train up the farmers, fish handlers and fish sellers about good aquaculture practice, HACCP system, fish transportation system, cool chain management system, and overall quality management system of fishes.