Prevalence of Salmonella in Ethiopian cattle and minced beef

To estimate the prevalence and distribution of Salmonella in the chain from cattle to the consumer, faeces. mesenteric lymphnodes and beef cuts from 2 35 cattle, stool samples from 300 workers of the same Addis Ababa abattoir, and 330 minced beef samples from supermarkets in Addis Ababa were analyzed . Isolated Salmonella strains were serotyped and tested for antibiotic susc eptibility. Low prevalence in faeces and lymphnodes, and higher contaminati on rates of beef cuts (diaphragm, abdominal muscles) indicate severe cross- contamination during slaughter. Animals of poor health status were far more frequently carriers of salmonellae, which stresses the need of intensive a nte-mortem inspection on slaughter animals. During transport from slaughter house to the supermarkets, production and selling of minced beef, the preva lence of Salmonella did not increase.