1Division of Epidemiology, Department of Animal Husbandry, Gole Pulli, Jammu, J&K, India
2Division of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Science, Rampura Phul, Punjab, India
3Division of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, F.V.Sc. & A.H, SKUAST-Jammu, R.S Pura, J&K, India
4School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
5Department of Animal Husbandry, Gole Pulli, Jammu, J&K, India
6Division of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, F.V.Sc. & A.H, SKUAST-K, Suhama, J&K, India
7Department of Livestock Products Technology, ICAR-IVRI, Izatnagar, Bareilly, (U.P) India
*Corresponding author: S Padha; E-mail: sonalipadha23@gmail.com
Pathogenic Escherichia coli is transmitted to humans via the fecal-oral route. This study assessed the safety of water sources with respect to the presence of pathogenic E. coli in Jammu and Kashmir, a Union Territory in northern India. A total of 141 water samples were collected from natural sources (81 samples: 43 river, 28 pond, and 10 lake) and drinking water sources (60 samples: 40 municipal supplies and 20 wells). These samples were analyzed for E. coli isolation, and pathotyping for ETEC, EPEC, and EHEC was done using PCR. Of the 81 samples collected from natural water sources, 56 (27 rivers, 20 ponds, and 9 lakes) tested positive for E. coli. None of these 56 isolates were positive for ETEC or EPEC, while 03 river and 02 pond samples tested positive for EHEC. Among the 60 drinking water samples, 15 (13 from municipal supplies and 2 from wells) were positive for E. coli. None of these isolates were positive for ETEC, EPEC, or EHEC. E. coli is widely used as an indicator organism for fecal contamination. The findings of this study reveal the extent of contamination of different water sources and emphasize the need for improved water quality monitoring to protect public health.
⓿ The study revealed high prevalence of E. coli in natural and drinking water sources.
⓿ Presence of E. coli in water sources is clear indication of fecal contamination of water.
⓿ Fecal contamination of water sources poses significant health risks to both humans and animals of the area.
E. coli, Coliforms, ETEC EHEC, EPEC, India, Jammu, Water
