Potential Salmonella transmission from ornamental fountains

Besides the usual food and drinking-water vehicles, there are other routes by which Salmonella can be transmitted, especially at outdoor locations. Public fountains containing Salmonella offer models of exposure routes beyond those usually considered in the context of recreational use. The authors studied the bacteriological quality of water sampled from five ornamental fountains in Guadalajara, Mexico during two periods of six and of 10 months. Coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli were detected in 75 percent and 49 percent of the samples, respectively, and various serovars of Salmonella enterica were found in 12.4 percent of samples. In addition to risks from ingestion of the contaminated waters; ornamental fountains may also pose risks to people in the vicinity from inhalation of mists.