Location: Food and Feed Safety Research
Title: Zoonotic transfer of pathogens from animals to farm products Authors
Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: February 11, 2013
Publication Date: N/A
Technical Abstract: Food animals contain a microbial population that lives on and within them, but this commensal microbial population can be penetrated by foodborne pathogenic bacteria that live asymptomatically in the animal. Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC), such as E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and Campylobacter, can all live in food animals and on farms. The presence of these pathogens in the live animal can contaminate water supplies and nearby crops and can be directly transmitted to humans via animal contact. Transmission to humans can be reduced via implementation of manure handling and spreading processes. Further pathogen reduction interventions can be grouped into 1) anti-pathogen, 2) pro-competition, and 3) management strategies. The rationale and effectiveness of these methods are discussed within the framework of being economically viable and applicable at various stages of animal production.