Control of E-coli O157 (VTEC) by applied management practices

Ellis-Iversen, J; Van Winden, S C L

Abstract

The control of zoonotic pathogens in animal produce can occur in several steps along the food chain. However, only reduction at farm level will reduce the risk posed by the environment and by direct contact with farm animals. Farmers have a key role to play in food safety, especially when a farm is open to the public. This is formalised in EU and UK legislation, placing the accountability for food safety on livestock farmers. This emphasises the need for systematic and documented control measures implemented at the farm level. Good herd health plans can provide the farmer with a standardised approach to control for zoonotic agents. This study identified several good management practices, which if applied systematically, can reduce the prevalence of E. coli O157 (VTEC) in young cattle. Management practises, which were associated with low herd prevalence of VTEC, were identified using a randomised controlled trial on cattle farms in England and Wales (Ellis-Iversen et al. 2008). The farmers were contacted through veterinary practices that use the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) for diagnostic testing. Initially, 411 farms were contacted and 255 were visited and sampled. Exclusion criteria were: no VTEC cultured at first visit, herd size

Citation

Ellis-Iversen, J., & Van Winden, S. C. L. Control of E-coli O157 (VTEC) by applied management practices

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Deposit Date: Nov 11, 2014
• Journal: CATTLE PRACTICE
• Volume: 16
• Pages: 54-54
• Public URL: https://rvc-repository.worktribe.com/output/1429289
• Additional Information: Corporate Creators : VLA