<i>Salmonella</i> prevalence in cattle slaughtered in selected abattoirs of Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia

Salmonella can spread more readily since they are present in humans, animals, and the environment. Some Salmonella serotypes exert huge health and economic impacts due to their virulence or antibiotic-resistance traits. This study aimed to detect Salmonella and determine its prevalence in slaughtered cattle of selected towns` abattoirs in the Amhara region. The study was crosssectional, and a systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study animals. A total of 480 animals` feces, carcass swabs, liver and intestinal lymph node samples were collected for this study. Bacteriological and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were used. The Salmonella prevalence at the animal level was 8.33% (10 out of 120) (95% CI: 4.07% - 14.79%). At sample level, 11 isolates out of 480 samples were found positive for Salmonella, with a prevalence of 2.29% (95% CI: 1.15% - 4.06%). The PCR amplifications gave products of 496 bp for 11 isolates by gel electrophoresis and were consequently confirmed as Salmonella. To know the possible source of contamination, water used for carcass washing and sanitation, as well as swab samples from butchers’ hands, coats/aprons, boots, and all slaughtering materials, were tested for Salmonella. All of these samples were found to be negative for Salmonella. A significant number of Salmonella was identified in slaughtered cattle in this study. Emphasizing the significance of enhancing hygienic practices prior to, during, and after the slaughtering process is of utmost importance. Sources of threats for Salmonella contamination, including abattoirs, should be given more attention to help them establish and maintain strict hygienic measurements.