The SafePork 2005 6th International Symposium on the Epidemiology and Control of Foodborne Pathogens in Pork was held on September 6-9, in Rohnert Park, CA. A total of 98 papers were presented (67 oral presentations and 31 poster presentations). This meeting review by Dr. Marcos Rostagno provides a summary of some of the important information presented during the meeting.
Introduction
The scientific program was very well organized, and included sessions on a variety of topics, including; Salmonella surveillance, epidemiology and mechanisms of Salmonella transmission, Salmonella diagnostics, Salmonella intervention strategies, public health policy and economics, residue avoidance, parasitic and microbial pathogens, Campylobacter epidemiology and interventions, antimicrobial use policy, and antimicrobial resistance. Although Salmonella continues to be the predominant topic presented and discussed, it is clear that other foodborne issues are receiving increased attention, such as Campylobacter and antimicrobial resistance. Experts on pork safety from several countries presented interesting information and participated in discussions. This type of interaction is fundamental for an industry with worldwide impact as the pork production industry.
Danish Experience
The Danish perspective on Salmonella surveillance and control was intensively discussed during the symposium through multiple presentations. Since the beginning (in 1995), the main focus of the Danish program has been the pre-harvest portion of the production system (i.e., herds). Serology has been applied to classify herds in different categories, based on Salmonella prevalence. However, according to Dr. Lis Alban from the Danish Bacon & Meat Council, the focus is changing to post-harvest initiatives. Increasing attention is being given to decontamination applied after slaughter and surveillance cost-effectiveness. Dr. Bent Nielsen, also from the Danish Meat & Bacon Council, presented a cost-effectiveness analysis of the Danish Salmonella control strategy showing that further pre-harvest initiatives using the currently known measures can not further reduce the Salmonella prevalence in Danish pork. According to Dr. Nielsen, at the present stage of the Danish Salmonella control program, only intensified focus on slaughterhouse measures, like decontamination and intensified hygiene, can reduce the prevalence of Salmonella in pork. Therefore, the Danish Bacon & Meat Council has decided to intensify the focus on slaughterhouses, instead of continuing to push for on-farm efforts.
CDC
Dr. Fred Angulo, from the Foodborne and Diarrheal Diseases Branch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, presented preliminary 2004 FoodNet data on the incidence of foodborne infection, in the U.S. The data indicate a decline in the incidence of infections caused by Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157, Listeria, Salmonella, and Yersinia. Declines in Campylobacter and Listeria incidence are approaching national health objectives. For the first time, the incidence of STEC O157 infections is below the 2010 target. However, further efforts are needed to sustain these declines and to improve prevention of foodborne infections.
NARMS
Dr. Paula Fedorka-Cray, from the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, presented data on antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella isolated from swine. A total of 3,246 swine slaughter and 3,147 swine diagnostic Salmonella isolates from the National Antimicrobial Monitoring System (NARMS) for the years 1997-2003 were tested. No resistance was detected in any Salmonella isolates for ciprofloxacin or amikacin. For all other antimicrobials tested, more resistance was observed in diagnostic isolates compared to slaughter isolates. In 2003, more than 50% of diagnostic isolates were resistant to 4 antibiotics: tetracycline (77.4%), streptomycin (75.5%), sulfamethoxazole (65.5%), and ampicillin (57.1%). Tetracycline (30.8%) was the antimicrobial with the most resistance in slaughter isolates.
NPB
Dr. Liz Wagstrom, from the National Pork Board, presented the "Take Care – Use Antibiotics Responsibly" producer education program. According to Dr. Wagstrom, while the contribution of antimicrobial use in pork production to resistant bacteria impacting human health is uncertain, pork producers are committed to their responsibility to deliver safe and wholesome pork to consumers. In the U.S., there has been an ongoing industry effort to provide producers with the educational materials to enable them to provide safe products to the marketplace. The goal of the program is to protect public health while preserving animal health and welfare.