Research by the Department of Biotechnology at the University for Development Studies has revealed that 48 out of 70 water sources within the Tamale Metropolis and Sagnerigu Municipality are contaminated with Salmonella.
A lecturer at the Biotechnology Department of the University, Dr. Courage Sabah, who did a study said salmonella contaminated foods and sources of water told GBC’s Radio Ghana that the result is alarming and requires urgent attention.
He revealed that sampled food from a number of venders in the metropolis were contaminated with various species of salmonella including Salmonella typhi which causes typhoid fever.
In an interview with GBC’s Radio Ghana, Dr Sabah described this as alarming and requires urgent attention.
A follow-up by Radio Savannah to the dugout wells and dams where the research was conducted indicates that runoff water from gutters after rains carry all sort of debris including faecal matter into the wells.
Radio Savannah visited some vegetable farms in the Tamale Metropolis and discovered that, some of the farmers indeed use water from the dugouts and dams.
The scientists also found out that, eighty-four per cent of the salmonella found in Tamale has developed resistance to two major antibiotics, amoxicillin and amoxiklav used in fighting the salmonella infections ineffective.
The study sought to establish a link between the high incidence of salmonella contaminated food and the source of water for irrigation.
The scientists also found out that, eighty-four per cent of the salmonella found in Tamale has developed resistance to amoxicillin and amoxiklav, making the two major antibiotics used in fighting salmonella infections ineffective.
