title: Prevalence of Escherichia Coli O157:H7 and Enterobacteriaceae on Hands of Workers in Halal Cattle Abattoirs in Peninsular Malaysia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several occupational diseases of multiple origins are encountered among abattoir workers. Presence of indicator microorganisms (coliforms) on hands of workers can be used a gauge for hygienic practices.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was performed to assess the prevalence ofE.coliandenterobacteriaceaeamong Halal abattoir workers in some government halal abattoirs of Malaysia. A total of one hundred and sixty-five hand swab samples were collected from workers of Halal abattoirs in Malaysia. The samples were subjected to microbiological analysis for characterisation and serotyping.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results have shown that noEscherichia coliO157:H7 was isolated on the hands of abattoir workers before and after work. However, a total prevalence of 9.7% was recorded for all samples during work. For non-O157:H7, total prevalence of 33.3% during work and 13% after work were obtained. High prevalence was recorded in sample taken during work from Tampin, Jasin and Kemaman (100% each) while low prevalence where observed in Shah Alam, Banting and Ipoh (20% each).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the findings the hygienic practices of hand washing among the workers in few locations was found to be low especially after work.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor.
authors.forename: Bahri Mohd Tamrin
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Shamsul
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor; Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Gombe State University, PMB 127, Tudun Wada Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Muhammad Tukur
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Adamu
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor.
authors.forename: Mohd Nasir
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Mohd Desa
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor.
authors.forename: Siti
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khairani-Bejo
keywords: Escherichia coli O157:H7; foodborne disease; occupational safety; prevalence; public health; zoonoses