Enumeration Of Escizerichia Coli, Salmonella And Vibrio Cholerae From Seafoods In Utaewa Fishing Settlement, Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

The enumeration of Escherichia co/i, Salmonella and Vibrio cholerae in seafoods from Utaewa fishing settlement, Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State was carried out. A total of 30 samples were collected. The mean counts for fish gills, skin and intestine ranged from 1.9 + 0.3 x lO6cfu/g to 3.6 ± 0.9 x lo6cfu/g, 0.8 ± 0.05 x lo6cfu/g to 2.4 ± 0.4 x 106cfu/g and 4.0 ± 0.5 x l06cfulg to 4.4 ± 0.8 x lO6cfu/g respectively for Escherichia coli, Salmonella and 'Vibrio cholerae. The mean count for crab body and gut ranged from 1.2 ± 0.1 x 106cfu/g to 3.1 ± 0.6 x 106cfu/g and 3.9 ± 0.3 x lo6cfu/g to 4.7 ± 0.5 x lo6cfu/g respectively for E. co/i, Salmonella and Vibrio cholerae. The mean counts for periwinkle from location 1, 2 and 3 ranged from 1.3 ± 0.2 x lO6cfu/g to 5.8 ± 0.7 x lO6cfu/g, 2.2 ± 0.1 x 106cfu/g to 3.5 ± 0.3 x loôcfu/g and 0 + 0.0 x lo6cfu/g to 2.5 ± 0.2 x 1 06cfu/g respectively for E. co/i, Salmonella and Vibrio cholerae. This study shows that seafood samples were grossly contaminated by known pathogenic organisms and thus constitute potential hazard to the public. The occurrence of these organisms could lead to epidemic if these seafoods are consumed. There is need for proper and adequate cooking of seafoods prior to consumption.