Mezbahalar ve Et İşleme Tesislerinin Çalışanları ile Alet ve Ekipmanlarında Rotavirus Astrovirus Varlığı

Rotavirus and astrovirus are two important foodborne pathogens for humans. This study was aimed to investigate the presence of viruses in four slaughterhouses. In the study, swab samples were obtained from both hands of sixty butchers working in slaughterhouses and different sections of meat processing plants and twenty-nine tools and equipment used in slaughterhouses to determine rotavirus and astrovirus antigens by ELISA. Personnel interviews were also held with the butchers to obtain information regarding their gender, age, education level, hygiene training, smoking status, habits of glove use during working as well as whether they had digestive problems in the period of study. Results of swab analyses indicated that rotavirus antigen was found in a butcher of a slaughterhouse. There was no rotavirus antigen in any tool and equipment used in slaughterhouses. Also, there was no astrovirus antigen in neither employee nor tool and equipment. Results showed that there was a risk of rotavirus contamination from personnel working in slaughterhouses where general hygiene rules were not fully implemented. It can be concluded that personal health consciousness and hygiene practices before and during working in a slaughterhouse are crucial for personnel protection against rotavirus or astrovirus infections.