Presence of Pathogenic Bacteria in Butchering Tables, Slaughtering Pavements and Meat Samples Collected from Slaughterhouses in Ogun State (Western Region), Nigeria

"Aim: Bacterial assessment of slaughterhouses (abattoir) in Ogun state: Kara (Berger) and Odo-eran (Abeokuta) was conducted. Methods and result: Swabs of butchering tables, slaughtering pavements and meat samples were obtained from both sites over a period of three months, and examined for their bacterial contents. Both slaughterhouses were found to contain suspected pathogenic bacteria as well as spoilage organisms. The microbial load from samples obtained from Kara abattoir were generally higher than that obtained from Odo-eran abattoir however, pathogenic bacteria isolated from both abattoirs were species of Enterobacter, Staphylococcus, Klebseilla, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Streptococcus, Salmonella, Proteus, Clostridium, Shigella and Escherichia coli. Conclusion: These findings pose health concerns to meat consumers in Ogun state. However, proper cooking of the meat would destroy most of these pathogens. Significance of Study: This study reflects the need for the Ogun state government’s intervention in the rehabilitation of these abattoirs and ensuring that butchers follow already designed international guidelines of slaughtering animals, which would have a significant positive effect on the microbial population and load of meat and meat products obtained from these abattoirs. "