Detection of Salmonella in Wastewater Irrigated Farms in Meknes City, Morocco

Abstract

The use of polluted water for irrigation is prominent in urban and peri-urban farms in Meknes (Morocco). However, this water may contain many pathogens that cause serious infections. Consumption of contaminated vegetables could be a significant public health problem. Salmonella is a bacteria responsible for multiple body infections, including gastroenteritis, fevers, and more severe symptoms. This study aims to determine the prevalence of Salmonella in urban and periurban farms of Meknes. A total of seventy samples (17 Water, 11 soil, and 42 vegetables) were collected and analyzed using a combination of conventional and molecular methods. The results showed that irrigation water was the most contaminated with Salmonella, followed by soil samples (45.5%) and vegetables (16.6%). This study shows a high prevalence of Salmonella in irrigation water, which can be a source of contamination of crops. It raises public health concerns as farmers and consumers are at risk of infection.