Salmonella in relation to agriculture.

Abstract

AbstractSome of the more extensive programs directed to the control of salmonellosis in domestic animals, which have been conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are identified. These have been singularly successful, insofar as the economics of production is concerned. However, they fall short of meeting the present market demand for food free from all of the 900–1,200 odd serotype species ofSalmonella considered potentially infectious for man. The increasing incidence of salmonellosis in man, and the identification of domestic animals as a major reservoir of various species ofSalmonella, has made it necessary to broaden the objective of existing programs, expand the research effort, and intensify testing schedules in many of the existing regulatory control programs. The activities of a special salmonella task force set up to coordinate research with the needs of the various regulatory agencies specifically concerned are reviewed. Data developed by the Animal Health Division in a market survey of feed and feed ingredients as carriers of salmonella are presented. The more pressing problems and the current programs within other Divisions are discussed, insofar as the findings to date may serve to identify future needs.