ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF BACTERIA ASSOCIATED WITH TALLY CARDS USED FOR PHONE CHARGING AT SA'ADU ZUNGUR UNIVERSITY AND GADAU COMMUNITY, BAUCHI STATE MAIN CAMPUS, GADAU

Microorganisms can be found everywhere, bacteria and fungi contaminate human body, our houses, workplaces, and our environment. Fortunately, among many billions of bacteria, only 1500 can be dangerous for our health, causing different diseases such as pneumonia and skin infection. The human hand serves as a medium for the propagation of microorganisms from place to place, and from person to person. Although, it is nearly impossible for the hand to be free of microorganisms, as the presence of pathogenic bacteria may lead to chronic or acute illness. The ability of the microbes to survive on the tally card used for phone charging makes it as one of the important fomites in the spread of microorganisms between users. A total of six (6) colonies were isolated in this study based on cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. Frequency distribution of the isolates showed that Staphylococcus spp were 3 isolates(50.0%), Escherichia coli 2 isolates (33.3%), and Klebsiella spp 1 isolate(16.7%). Human hands usually harbor microorganisms both as part of body normal flora as well as transient microbes contacted from the environment. This means that it is necessary to practice good personal hygiene through hand washing and use of hand sanitizer as well as daily cleaning of charging center to reduce the incidence of microbial transmission. Key words: Bacterial, contamination , tally cards , Staphylococcus spp , Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp.