Naira note: Potential Environmental Material for Transmitting Bacterial Pathogens among Food Dealers in Umuahia, Nigeria
Ekene S. Odo *
Department of Microbiology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
Gloria N. Ebe
Department of Physical and Health Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Michael N. Umeh
Department of Microbiology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
Daniel A. Nwaubani
Department of Microbiology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
Israel C. Omekara
Department of Biochemistry, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Inanimate objects can serve as environmental vehicles for transmitting pathogenic bacteria among individuals in the population. Our study revealed that of the 72 naira notes examined, 58 samples representing 80.6% had bacterial contaminants. The bacterial isolates were Staphylococcus aureus (70.8%), Salmonella spp. (51.4%), Escherichia coli (44.4%), Shigella spp. (22.2%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa. (18.1%), and Proteus spp. (1.4%). The naira notes examined were all obtained from food dealers particularly fish sellers, food vendors, and meat sellers. The presence of these bacterial pathogens on naira notes handled by those food dealers is an important public health hazard as they can contaminate food leading to foodborne diseases and intoxications. Our study found that lower denominations of currency notes (naira), were mostly contaminated by these pathogens and this could be as a result of their frequent use in daily transactions.
Keywords: Currency, Escherichia coli, foodborne diseases, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus