The present study was carried out to evaluate the frequency of water borne zoonotic pathogens in untreated ground water used by humans and animals in some rural areas at Kalyoubia province, also to isolate and identify some pathogenic microorganisms that have public health importance. A total of fifty untreated ground water samples (From hand pumps) were collected and examined for detection of bacterial and protozoal zoonotic pathogens, as well as one hundred and twenty fecal samples were collected from humans with enteric disease problems attended to health units of rural areas, moreover thirty fecal samples were collected from different animal species which were in contact with or drinking from water sources and were also analyzed for the above pathogens. The results recognized Salmonella spp, Shigella spp, Escherichia coli, Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia at percentages of 28.6%, 7.1%, 64.3%, 20% and 80% respectively from water; while they were detected with percentages 30%, 7.5%, 62.5%, 30% and 70% respectively in humans. Mean while, they were 25%, 12.5%, 62.5%, 0% and 100% respectively in different animal species. The most predominant serotypes of Salmonellae were S.typhimurium and S.enteritidis. Shigella dysenteriae is the only isolated serotype of Shigella species, meanwhile, the most predominant serotypes of E. coliwere O: K (B), 128 67 12 O: K (B4) O: K (B) and O: K (B) in all examined samples. The clinical complaints related to enteric 111 58 119 69 14 126 71 16 diseases were more evident in females (56%) than males (44%) and the majority of cases existed among children less than 5 year. It was apparent that the majority of people who reported enteric disease problems used pit (non-piped) as sewage disposal system (58%) and with a history of consumption of stored water (60%). In addition to the main symptoms reported by patients were diarrhea (30%), followed by fever (22%), abdominal cramps (20%), vomiting (16%) and nausea (12%).The results confirm human bio-hazards through rural water supplies and reflected the need of public health education toward the accurate use of drinking ground water only after perfect treatment. The public health importance of pathogens was discussed and suggestive recommendations were recorded. |
