Contamination of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Milk and Its Dairy Products in Depok, Cianjur, Sukabumi and Bandung

Abstract Escherichia coli O157:H7 is known as a foodborne pathogen that can infect humans as well as animals. Dairy cows are the main reservoir of E. coli O157:H7 strains. These bacteria have the potential to pollute milk through direct contact with cattle and the dairy farming environment. Bacteria can survive during the production process and dairy products such as cheese. The presence of E. coli O157:H7 in dairy products has not been widely reported in Indonesia. The purpose of this study was to examine E. coli O157:H7 in the fresh milk from livestock and dairy products obtained from supermarkets and traditional markets in Depok, Cianjur, Sukabumi, and Bandung. A conventional method for E. coli isolation and testing techniques and serotyping tests on O157 and H7 was used in the study. The results showed that 26 isolates (23.85%) of a total of 109 fresh milk samples were positive for E. coli. They were identified as E. coli O157:H7 were 17 (65.38%) of 26 E. coli isolates. In dairy products, E. coli O157:H7 was not detected. This indicates that biosafety and biosecurity in the of dairy cows need to be to prevent E. coli O157:H7 contamination in milk and their livestock environment.