Automatic teller machines (ATMs) as potential sources of food-borne pathogens – a case from Ghana

The metallic keypads of automatic teller machines (ATMs) were examined to investigate their potential as sources of food borne pathogen. The procedure involved culturing and identifying swabs of the keypads of five ATMs, swabs of disinfected fingers and swabs of disinfected fingers used in a cash-redraw simulation. The results indicated the possibility of cross-contamination of the fingers during usage of the machines with foodborne pathogens such as species of Aeromonas, Bacillus, Enterobacter, Escherichia, Klebsiella and Salmonella. Proper cleaning regimen to sanitize these facilities regularly and public education on their hygienic usage are recommended to reduce the associated risks. [Stephen Abban, Kwaku Tano-Debrah. Automatic teller machines (ATMs) as potential sources of food-borne pathogens – a case from Ghana. Nature and Science 2011;9(9):63-67]. (ISSN: 1545-0740). http://www.sciencepub.net.