A32-L«ncastef Fanning, Saturday, September 16, 2000 Preventing Foodborne Illness (Continued from Page Al) approximately 400,000 cases per year in which SE could have been a cause of foodbome con tamination, yet the total con firmed cases of ALL salmonella was only 40,000. But Campylobacter remains the number one cause of food borne illness in the U.S. Meat birds can frequently test posi tive. However, the bacteria are readily killed by cooking and are not as stable outside their en vironment as SE, noted Kradel. Consumers are wary and in ternational markets are increas ingly concerned about antibiotic use for disease prevention or growth promotion, according to Kradel. A controversial issue, one of extreme concern, noted Kradel, is the development of antibiotic resistant organisms that can affect humans. Can the use of antibiotics in animals develop resistant strains of organisms in humans, resulting in real public health threats? Kradel noted his impression is that the concern, for the public health professionals, is “settled in their mind,” he said. “We do contribute to the problem as well as misuse (the antibiotics) in human medicine.” The wrong uses of antibiotics in humans could be a significant issue. “Inappropriate use in people is a major, maybe the major issue, in developing anti biotic resistance,” Kradel said. Eventually the use of antibiot ics for disease prevention and growth promotion is likely to be prohibited. Its use for treatment may be by veterinary prescrip tion only. These are many rec ommendations recently made by the World Health Organization. Farmer Boy Ag Systems Inc. 410 East Lincoln Avenue, Myerstown, PA 17067 717-866-7565 • 1-800-845-3374 At the center of intensive re search and surveillance pro grams regarding antibiotic use is the National Antimicrobial Re sistance Monitoring System, or NARMS. Kradel noted the success of one program, the Pennsylvania Egg Quality Assurance Program (PEQAP), now used as a model nationwide to control SE in eggs. In 1992, at the start of PEQAP, 22 percent of samples tested SE-positive. In 1999, that number had dropped to 1.4 per cent, and in August this year, to 0.87 percent. This points to the success of the program, at floor level, in controlling SE. About 315 flocks in the state are enrolled in PEQAP. “The overall reduction in SE with PEQAP has been tremen dous,” said Kradel. Already a National Egg Safety Program has been pro posed using PEQAP as a model. But the initial draft of the pro gram will be delayed past Sep tember, according to Kradel. In red meat processing, a standard Hazard Analysis Criti cal Control Points (HACCP) program is mandatory. The HACCP program is “science based,” rather than on sight, touch, or smell. Though some groups are challenging HACCP, the program may be helping reduce foodborne illness. The technology continues to improve. Already, in western Pennsylvania, a companv sells pasteurized m-shell eggs. Of course, the prices of the eggs are 35-40 cents more per dozen. Some individuals believe it may be possible to wipe out, at the farm level, all food safety challenges. But that is impossi- EZRA H. GOOD INC. TRUCK WASH Friday, Construction By (Specializing in Livestock Trailers) September 22 nd : Rt. 897 1 Mile North Of Fivepointville. Turn Right Onto School Road To Truck Wash On Right. tio Dire< ble, noted Kradel, giving our current technology and the real ities associated with animal pro duction. Perhaps it is because, in this country, we have “gotten too clean,” that competing organ isms can’t help us in our fight against the insidious bacteria and viruses that have been in food animals for millennia. But great progress has been made in fighting SE while educational efforts about food preparation will prevent Campylobacter problems. The recent controversy over West Nile Virus (WNV), in which virus has been found in many Northeast states, contin ues to draw concern in the poul try industry. Kradel said, “We do not believe it is an issue at this time, nor do we think it will be.” To date, there has been no evi dence of WNV in Pennsylvania. WNV can transiently (for a short time) infect poultry, but it does not make them sick nor can it pass the virus on to other ani mals or people. This year the virus has af fected humans in New Jersey and New York. Last year about six people died. This year, about eight people died and about 60 were infected and recovered. Pennsylvania is spending $lO million per year to monitor and institute preventive measures to combat WNV. A big issue on human health arose when, recently, in Walker ton, near Ontario, Canada, the well water supply became con taminated with E. coli 0157. About 2,000 people out of a pop ulation of 7,000 became ill, re sulting in about 6-16 deaths. The infection was caused by contam inated wells and a failure of the chlorination system. During construction, wells were not properly sealed. According to PPS Dr. David C. Kradel, PennAg Industries Poultry Council consultant, left, spoke at the Penn State-sponsored Poul try Management and Health Seminar in Manheim at Kreid er’s Restaurant. At right is John Schwartz, Lancaster extension director. the poultry veterinarian, animal production units in the area were incriminated as the source of the E. coli 0157. As for animal disease issues, highly pathogenic avian in fluenza (HPAI) has afflicted 423 flocks in Italy, resulting in depo pulation of 18 million birds. The strain, H7NI, started as low pathogenic and mutated into a high pathogenic virus. In 1924, according to Kradel, live bird markets in New York were the source of a disease sub sequently identified as fowl plague (another name for HPAI). Today, about 40 percent of more than 83 live bird mar kets in New York and New Jersey test positive for A.I. About 93 percent of the serotype is the low-pathogenic H7N2, with 4 percent H3N2 and 3 per cent other serotype. Despite preventive efforts of all concerned, the rates of posi tive samples in markets have not decreased, said Kradel. The USE 7amto 11 am Pressure Spray Installation By 1248 E. Newport Rd., Lititz, PA 17543 717-626-5511 E-Mail “progpress@redrose net" Website “www.progressivepressure com" PROGRESSIVE PRESSURE SYSTEMS virus can become highly patho genic any time. The virus then could affect flocks, as it did in Italy, resulting in depopulations not seen in the U.S. since thr 1983-1984 eradication of HSN2. Bioterrorism or incorporat ing diseases into health regi mens as political or other forn of threat also concerns offi dais. As a result, a vaccinatioi repository is being developed a a cost of $5O million. Also, a rei erence diagnostic laboratory i being assembled in Louisiana t help quickly identify am manage such threats. But what about plans to erad icate foodborne pathogens alto gether? Rather than trying to eradi cate all these bacteria, such as Campylobacter, a better method would be to incorporate good management strategies. Because if the industry were to get rid of salmonella and Campylobacter, “what could end up taking its place?” said Kradel. “It could be worse.”
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