Foodborne pathogens monitoring in pigs in the Veneto region of Italy

Abstract

At the European level the control of foodborne diseases is defined by the new zoonoses legislation (Directive 2003/99/CE and Regulation (CE) 2160/2003), which points out the necessity to establish surveillance programmes for zoonotic agents in animal populations. From 2002 to 2004 baseline studies have been performed in the Veneto Region of Italy to define the prevalence of Salmonella, Campylobacter, antimicrobial resistance indicators in the most important animal species farmed and slaughtered in this area. The monitoring scheme applied allowed to precisely assess the prevalence for different pathogens and animal species, and was adjusted after the first year of application in order to detect defined variations in prevalence, with a reduced number of samples. In this paper authors will describe methods and results of the monitoring scheme applied in pigs at slaughter. Introduction The control of foodborne diseases must be based on a “farm to fork” approach, in which primary production represents a critical point for contamination spreading, and is therefore a key point for any control activity. At the European level, such a strategy is clearly identified by the new zoonoses legislation (Directive 2003/99/CE and Regulation (CE) 2160/2003), which provides for the monitoring and the control of foodborne zoonoses at primary production. Directive 2003/99/EC repeals Council Directive 92/117/EEC and covers: a) the monitoring of zoonoses and zoonotic agents; b) the monitoring of related antimicrobial resistance; c) the epidemiological investigation of food-borne outbreaks; d) the exchange of information related to zoonoses and zoonotic agents. The aim of the surveillance is to make evaluation of trends and sources at the EU level possible, and to provide data to be used as a basis for risk assessment in this field. Regulation 2160/2003 points out the necessity, for some zoonoses, to establish specific control measures, which should be based on targets for prevalence reduction. At the end of 2007 the targets for the reduction of Salmonella prevalence in pigs at slaughter will be established. In order to apply the above described legislation, Member States will have to define sampling programmes, pursuing two different aims: < to estimate infection prevalence in different animal species and categories; < to follow trends during time, in order to evaluate targets achievement after the application of control measures. From 2002 to 2004 baseline studies have been performed in the Veneto Region of Italy to define the prevalence of Salmonella, Campylobacter, antimicrobial resistance indicators in the most important animal species farmed and slaughtered in this area (cattle, pigs, chickens, turkeys, laying hens, rabbits), with the aim of: < evaluating methods for the implementation of the new zoonoses legislation; < studying and defining a sampling system running “in continuum”; < detecting specific risk situations. The monitoring scheme applied allowed to precisely assess the prevalence for different pathogens and animal species, and was adjusted after the first year of application in order to detect defined variations in prevalence, with a reduced number of samples. Materials and Methods Sampling scheme In the first monitoring campaign (2002-2003) the sampling scheme was designed with the aim of assessing the prevalence of Salmonella, Campylobacter and antimicrobial resistance in indicator bacteria in batches of pigs slaughtered in the Veneto Region. 11 slaughterhouses, having a capacity $ 3000 animals slaughtered per year, were selected for the study.