This study aims to evaluate flies as a vector for foodborne pathogens. For this purpose, several flies were collected from different sites from rural areas. These flies were then analyzed for the presence of Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus coagulase positive, and Listeria monocytogenes. Another aim of this study was to evaluate some virulence factors of the collected pathogens: susceptibility to some antibiotics and the presence of enterotoxigenic S. aureus. The results showed that flies in the presence of animals demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of the studied pathogens than those collected in the kitchens, and kitchens situated in the closest proximity to the animal husbandry had a higher count than the kitchens in private houses. Enterobacteriaceae was the indicator organism with the highest microbial counts followed by E. coli and S. aureus. Listeria monocytogenes was not detected from any of the collected flies. The antimicrobial susceptibility test showed that the bacteria carried by the flies possessed multiantibiotic resistance profiles, and enterotoxin A was produced by 17.9% of the confirmed S. aureus isolates. These results demonstrate that flies can transmit foodborne pathogens and their associated toxin and resistance and the areas of higher risk are those in closer proximity to animal production sites. 1. Introduction Flies are “pests” of great medical and veterinary significance and are one of the most important vectors of human diseases worldwide [1, 2]. Houseflies are important nuisance pests of domestic animals and people, as well as the main fly vectors of foodborne and animal pathogens [3]. Due to their indiscriminate movements, ability to fly long distances, and attraction to both decaying organic materials and places where food is prepared and stored, houseflies greatly amplify the risk of human exposure to foodborne pathogens. Houseflies can transport microbial pathogens from reservoirs (animal manure) where they present a minimal hazard to people to places where they pose a great risk (food) [1]. Stable flies are bloodsucking insects and important pests of domestic animals and people and can cause great economic losses in the animal industry [4], and they can also play a role in ecology of various bacteria originating from animal manure and other larval developmental habitats [5]. Most bacteria associated with insects include foodborne pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., and others [6]. The potential of adult houseflies to transmit pathogens such as
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