Ante-mortem Inspection Research Articles

Assessment of health problems of sheep and goats based on ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection at Addis Ababa Abattoir, Ethiopia.

Ethiopia has a rapidly growing small ruminant sector, which faces low productivity due to husbandry practices and poor health condition of the animals. A study was conducted in Ethiopia's largest municipal abattoir with the objective to assess the health problems of sheep and goats presented for slaughter using standard ante-mortem and post-mortem methodology. A cross-sectional study using systematic random sampling was conducted on 384 sheep and 384 goats from January to July 2014. Soiled skin (69.1%), poor body condition (24.3%), and nostril discharge (19.5%) were common among both species at ante-mortem examination. Gross lesions were frequent in livers (39.7%) and lungs (37.2%), while pneumonia (18.1%) and adhesions (13.8%) were frequent in the lungs of sheep and goats, indicating stress-related illness. Parasitic lesions, especially fasciolosis (19.3%) and hydatid cysts (8.1%) were significantly more common in sheep livers (p 0.05). The direct financial loss from lesions in both species was 1,077,015 ETB or 53,851 USD per year, most of which was estimated to occur from carcass bruising. The findings indicate that reducing parasite burden and preventing carcass bruising through improved handling could significantly increase the profitability of the small ruminant meat sector in Ethiopia.

Ulcerative stomatitis associated with yellow bristle grass in New Zealand dairy cows

ABSTRACT Case history A line of 25 cull cows were all found to have ulcerative lesions of the tongue at post-mortem inspection in a New Zealand slaughter plant. A further 9 of 10 cows inspected at the farm of origin had similar oral lesions. There were no other clinical signs or indicators of ill-health observed at ante-mortem inspection in the abattoir or on the farm. The cows had been fed baleage for 3 weeks prior to slaughter, made from pasture in paddocks heavily contaminated with yellow bristle grass (Setaria pumila). Clinical findings There was extensive and deep transverse linear ulceration in the lingual fossa immediately rostral to the torus linguae. At histological examination, full-thickness ulceration of the stratified squamous epithelium was observed with a bed of disorganised collagenous tissue and extensive mixed inflammatory infiltrate extending into the sub-epithelial connective tissue and skeletal muscle. Barbed plant fragments were embedded in both the superficial and deeper areas of inflammation. Detailed examination of the baleage also found that yellow bristle grass seedheads were present. Diagnosis Based on the presence of barbed plant material in the tongue and yellow bristle grass seeds in the baleage, a diagnosis of ulcerative stomatitis associated with yellow bristle grass was made. Clinical relevance Clinicians should be aware of the potential for hay or baleage contaminated with yellow bristle grass to cause oral lesions in cattle.

ANALIZA CZĘSTOTLIWOŚCI ZMIAN I OBJAWÓW CHOROBOWYCH U BYDŁA I ŚWIŃ W POLSCE NA PODSTAWIE WYNIKÓW BADANIA SANITARNO-WETERYNARYJNEGO W 2019 ROKU

Lesions or signs of disease found before and after slaughter provide information about the health and well-being of the animals. The testing of slaughter animals and meat is a tool to reduce the risks to the safety and health of consumers and should be carried out systematically. The aim of the study was to analyze the results of post-mortem inspection of pigs and cattle in Poland in 2019. The data from the sanitary and veterinary examination taken from the annual reports prepared by the Chief Veterinary Inspectorate in 2019 were analysed. In the assessment of the causes of lesions and unfitness for consumption, the following diseases were taken into account: tuberculosis, actinomycosis, as well as qualitative deviations: emaciation and watery muscles, icterus, organoleptic changes, incomplete loss of blood, natural death, slaughter in agony, pus foci, contamination and congestion, as well as other changes and parasitic invasions: cysticercosis, echinococcosis, fasciolosis and trichinellosis. The collected material was compiled according to the frequency of pathological changes found in the sanitary-veterinary examination of pigs and cattle in individual provinces in Poland, and then their percentage structure was determined. In 2019, veterinary supervision covered over 1.9 million cattle and over 21.5 million pigs. During the ante-mortem and post-slaughter inspection, diseases or lesions were found in over 7.3 million animals, i.e. 31.4% of the examined slaughter animals. The percentage of carcasses unfit for consumption in cattle was 0.22%, and in pigs it was 0.14%. Among the lesions registered in pigs and cattle, the most numerous group consisted of foci of pus, contamination and congestion – 22.4 and 8.51%, respectively. The presence of foci of pus, contamination and congestion in pig and cattle carcasses was found in all voivodeships. The highest percentage of these changes in cattle carcasses was recorded in the following voivodeships: Kujawsko-Pomorskie (50.71%), Podlaskie (19.29%) and Zachodniopomorskie (11.74%). In all voivodeships, foci of pus, congestion and contamination in pig carcasses were also found. In the Lubuskie voivodeship, such changes were registered in over 90% of the examined pig carcasses, and in the Podlaskie and Kujawsko-Pomorskie voivodeships in over 49% of the examined pig carcasses. In 2019, the number of animals for slaughter showing abnormal health status or symptoms and lesions remained high in Poland. A large number of congestion and contamination proves insufficient care for the conditions of slaughter animals, as well as for hygiene and conditions for slaughtering and carcass cutting and processing.

Determination of the Risk Factors of Slaughterhouses and Butcher shops in Public Health

The current study was designed to understand the present status of beef markets as well as the quality of beef in selected five upazilas (Dinajpur Sadar, Parbotipur, Nawabgonj, Fulbari, and Birampur) of Dinajpur district, Bangladesh. These included cleaning hands completely before handling beef (100%), cleaning the butchery on a daily and weekly basis (12%), cleaning meat-cutting knives before use (100%), wearing hand gloves (8%), wearing a protective coat (12%), wearing a head cover (2%) while handling and selling meat, and growing long fingernails (55%). Muslims make up the majority of the population in the chosen areas, and 100% of the animals are slaughtered according to the halal method. The rs, specific slaughter house, washing of animals before slaughter, ante-mortem inspection by the government authority, regular post-mortem inspection, and preservation of unsold beef were positively correlated with the biosecurity maintenance of meat practiced and had a significant (p<0.01) positive relationship with biosecurity practice. The rs value of preservation of unsold beef had a positive correlation but was weakly (rs<0.3) correlated. Butchers addressed the following issues: middlemen (23%), disorganized markets (21%), capital (17%), extraction (15%), importation of animals from foreign nations (14%), irregular investigations (8%), and other issues (2%). Various customer perspectives were used to gather some problem findings for the beef market survey, including excessive cost (37%), inadequate market oversight (28%), unclean surroundings (14%), adulteration (11%), and others (10%). The relevant authorities in the livestock business and the government could step in to address the existing problems.

Surveillance for lumpy skin disease and foot and mouth disease in the Kimberley, Western Australia.

We quantified the sensitivity of surveillance for lumpy skin disease (LSD) and foot and mouth disease (FMD) in cattle in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. We monitored producer and veterinary activity with cattle for 3 years commencing January 2020. Each year, ~274,000 cattle of 685,540 present on 92 pastoral leases (stations) were consigned to other stations, live export or slaughter. Veterinarians examined 103,000 cattle on the stations, 177,000 prior to live export, and 10,000 prior to slaughter. Detection probabilities for the disease prior to transport or during veterinary procedures and inspections were elicited by survey of 17 veterinarians working in Northern Australia. The veterinarians estimated the probabilities that they would notice, recognise, and submit samples from clinical cases of LSD and FMD, given a 5% prevalence of clinical signs in the herd. We used scenario tree methodology to estimate monthly surveillance sensitivity of observations made by producers and by veterinarians during herd management visits, pre-export inspections, and ante-mortem inspections. Average monthly combined sensitivities were 0.49 for FMD and 0.37 for LSD. Sensitivity was high for both diseases during the dry season and low in the wet season. We estimated the confidence in freedom from the estimated surveillance sensitivity given one hypothetically infected herd, estimated probability of introduction, and prior confidence in freedom. This study provided assurance that the Kimberley is free of these diseases and that routine producer and veterinary interactions with cattle are adequate for the timely detection of the disease should they be introduced.

Food chain information for broilers: Results of a Europe-wide survey on status quo, usability and suggestions for improvement

A modern risk-based meat safety assurance system (RB-MSAS) for poultry includes information systems to better adapt to risks for food safety. Food Chain Information (FCI) according to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 includes data on animal health, laboratory test results and further information that is relevant for consumer protection. FCI has to be transferred from the farm to the abattoir where the data analysis leads to adaptations of the slaughter process and/or meat inspection. As the EU regulation describes the required FCI imprecisely and without recommendations for meaningful reactions to specific information, implementation differs between European countries and even between abattoirs within one country. To assess the status quo of transfer, use and the usefulness of FCI in Europe, we conducted a survey on FCI for broilers among European stakeholders. The answers of 32 respondents, working in 14 different European countries as official veterinarians/meat inspection officers, food business operators/quality assurance managers, or in other positions in broiler meat hygiene, were included in the analysis. Overall, 75% (24/32) of the respondents stated they find FCI helpful for decision-making. All respondents (56%, 18/32) with electronic access to FCI find the transmission procedure practical. Most respondents get information about previous ante-mortem (81%, 26/32) and post-mortem (91%, 29/32) inspection results for flocks from the same holding of provenance. Likewise, most respondents receive data on mortality rate (88%, 28/32) and veterinary medications with a withdrawal period that have been administered during the fattening period (84%, 27/32). Overall, 53% of the respondents indicated that the entire fattening period would be the optimal relevant period for recording the administration of veterinary medications with a withdrawal period. In addition to this information, the respondents desired to have more data about further treatment (28%, 9/32) and data from the private veterinarian responsible for the farm (25%, 8/32). Knowledge of these data especially led to various measures being initiated at the abattoir, according to the respondents. In contrast, some specific production data were reported as also an important part of FCI, even though these data have little impact on the measures to protect human health that are taken in the slaughter process or at post-mortem inspection. All respondents transferred information about findings in the abattoir back to the farmers: these data were ante-mortem (72%, 23/32) and post-mortem (100%, 32/32) inspection results as well as further information (28%, 6/32). Our study shows that FCI for broilers is already widely successfully established as part of the RB-MSAS in Europe. Important information, like the ante- and post-mortem inspection results, is mostly available. Recommendations for improvement and for data to be included based on our study and literature are, inter alia: electronic data transfer; on-farm mortality; diseases occurring on-farm, especially those shortly before slaughter; all data on treatment with veterinary medications; EFSA's harmonised epidemiological indicators and; specific production data. Further studies are needed to gain a deeper understanding of correlations between ante-mortem data for the flock and findings at post-mortem inspection. Specific measures to be taken as a result of incoming information need to be stipulated in order that FCI is used more efficiently as a risk assessment tool in RB-MSAS.

Condemnation of Porcine Carcasses: A Two-Year Long Survey in an Italian High-Throughput Slaughterhouse.

Ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection at slaughter are performed by Official Veterinarians and it is essential to identify alterations/lesions, which can make organs/carcasses unsuitable for human consumption. Obviously, carcass condemnation must be regarded as a highly undesirable event for the entire swine industry chain, as it represents the total failure of a long period of challenging work. Therefore, it seems valuable to estimate the prevalence and causes of carcasses condemnation, in order to preserve consumers' health and pig farming profitability. Bearing that in mind, the present study aimed at providing a reliable picture of the condemnation of porcine carcasses in Italy, with a special emphasis being placed upon pathological findings. Data were collected in a high-throughput abattoir located in northern Italy, where a total of 2,062,278 pigs were slaughtered during the period of study (2021-2022). Overall, 1362 pigs were considered unfit for slaughtering after ante-mortem inspection, mostly because of death during transportation or in resting pens, after their arrival at the abattoir. Moreover, 2007 carcasses were condemned after post-mortem inspection. The most common causes of condemnation were severe and diffuse peritonitis, disseminated abscesses, jaundice, and erysipelas. In our opinion, the present survey may provide useful and updated information about the condemnation of pig carcasses in Italy. At the same time, it highlights the need to collect data in a more systematic and standardized way, thus making possible their comparison over time and among different geographic areas.

PEMERIKSAAN ANTE-MORTEM DAN POST-MORTEM HEWAN KURBAN DI MUSHOLLAH AL-FAIDAH RSS OESAPA KOTA KUPANG TAHUN 2022

To ensure the safety of food components derived from animals, it is necessary to conduct inspections of animals used as sacrifices. ante-mortem and post-mortem inspections are conducted to ensure the safety of meat that will be distributed to the public. The rising number of sacrificed animals at mosques and prayer rooms in Kupang City during Eid al-Adha necessitates the recruitment of additional veterinarians to ensure the safety of the slaughtered animals' meat. In response to this need, the Animal Husbandry Service of the Kupang City Government, in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, conducted inspections of sacrificial animals in mosques and prayer rooms by conducting ante-mortem and post-mortem examinations of animal health and sacrificial meat. The ante-mortem and post-mortem examinations conducted at the Al-Faidah mosque provided positive results, and the final recommendation was that the sacrificed animals were healthy and in accordance with Islamic Sharia. The inspection results indicate that the meat is also suitable for human consumption.

Financial Losses Arising from Cattle Organ and Carcass Condemnation at Lokoloko Abattoir in Wau, South Sudan.

Slaughterhouses in South Sudan mirror the economic losses resulting from cattle organs and carcass condemnation due to zoonotic and epizootic diseases of livestock, such as tuberculosis, cysticercosis, and hydatidosis in cattle. However, due to the war, slaughterhouse record keeping has been inconsistent in South Sudan, and thus the estimation of diseases in cattle and their impact may be underestimated. Therefore, this study was conducted to estimate the major causes of carcasses and organ condemnation of cattle slaughtered at Lokoloko abattoir and the resulting financial losses. A cross-sectional active abattoir survey involving antemortem and postmortem examinations was conducted on 310 cattle between January 2021 and March 2021. Furthermore, five-year (September 2015-September 2020) retrospective data on meat inspection records were also collected and analyzed. During the antemortem inspection of the active abattoir survey, 103 (33.2%) cattle had signs of disease. These signs included herniam 17 (5.5%), local swelling 16 (5.2%), lameness 15 (4.8%), emaciation 13 (4.2%), blindness 12 (3.9%), depression 11 (3.5%), pale mucus membrane 7 (2.3%), nasal discharge 5 (1.6%), lacrimation 4 (1.3%), and salivation 03 (0.97%). Postmortem inspection revealed gross pathological findings on 180 (58.6%) carcasses, out of which 47 (26.1%) livers and 31 (17.2%) hearts were condemned due to various causes. The active abattoir survey and the retrospective data revealed that tuberculosis, fascioliasis, hydatidosis, and heart cysticercosis were the leading causes of condemnation of carcasses and organs. In the active abattoir survey, a total of 19,592,508 South Sudanese Pounds, equivalent to US$29,686 was lost from organ condemnation, while in the retrospective data; the overall direct financial loss during the five years was estimated to be 299,225,807 South Sudanese Pounds equivalent to US$453,372. This study revealed that bacterial and parasitic diseases were the common causes of carcass and organ condemnations and caused significant financial losses at Lokoloko abattoir in Wau, South Sudan. Therefore, there is a need for training farmers on cattle disease management, heightened meat inspections, and proper disposal of condemned meat.

Ante-mortem and Post-mortem Inspection and Relationship between Findings in a North Albanian Pig Slaughterhouse.

In June 2014, Albania was granted EU candidate status, thus starting a process of compliance with the membership criteria. In this context, a modern meat inspection approach in line with the European legislation was applied to a pig slaughterhouse in northern Albania in order to investigate the ante-mortem (AM) and post-mortem (PM) conditions and the relationship between these findings. For this purpose, 3930 pigs divided into 35 batches were evaluated over a 3-month period. The most frequent AM conditions recorded were tail lesions and dyspnea (9.1%), followed by skin (8.9%) and ear lesions (8.5%), while in the PM inspections, pleuritis was the most frequently observed condition (10.2%), followed by pneumonia (8.5%), liver alterations (5.7%), milk spot liver (3.8%), and pericarditis (3.3%). With the exception of liver alterations, the other PM lesions mentioned were positively associated with lesions on the ears (OR = 1.036; p < 0.001) and skin (OR = 1.026; p = 0.011) and dyspnea (OR = 1.021; p = 0.005), confirming the link between these variables and the health and welfare conditions of pigs on farms. Overall, the evidence that emerged from this Albanian slaughterhouse can be considered in line with other European contexts, especially in light of the considerable variability in the data present in the literature.

CARCASSES AND OFFAL CONDEMNATION AT KOM-ELNOUR ABATTOIR IN DAKAHLIA PROVINCE, EGYPT: MAJOR CAUSES AND ECONOMIC LOSS

An abattoir survey was conducted from October 2020 to September 2021 to identify the primary reasons for offal and carcass condemnation of slaughtered animals in Dakahlia province, Egypt, as well as to estimate their economic loss. During the survey, 643 animals (441 cattle, 178 buffalos, 19 camels, 4 sheep, and one goat) were submitted for antemortem and postmortem inspection. The results of both inspections were collected, analyzed, and the total economic loss was estimated by adding the condemnation of offal and carcasses over a twelve-month period. Retail prices for offal (liver, lung, heart, and tongue) and carcass prices per kg were obtained from local markets. Out of 643 animals slaughtered, 2 (0.31%) were totally condemned. In addition, postmortem inspection revealed that 217 (33.74%) livers, 158 (24.57%) lungs, 5 (0.78%) hearts, 14 (2.18%) heads, and 11(1.71%) tongues were condemned. Offal were condemned mainly due to pneumonia, fascioliasis, telangiectiasis, necrosis, and hydatidosis, whereas carcasses were rejected due to generalized tuberculosis. According to this study, the financial loss at the abattoir owing to carcass and organ condemnations was 244066 Egyptian Pounds over a twelve-month period (15746 USD). The incidence of meat rejection and subsequent financial loss was high compared to the amount of local revenue. The current study concluded that bacterial and parasitic diseases are still prevalent and cause significant economic damage in Dakahlia province, Egypt. This abattoir survey offered regional information on the principal reasons for carcass and organ condemnation in slaughtered animals, as well as an estimate of the direct economic consequences. Furthermore, the findings of the current work underlined the importance of developing an efficient monitoring system for meat condemnation and enforcing animal health strategies in Egypt.

The Importance of the Slaughterhouse in Surveilling Animal and Public Health: A Systematic Review.

From the point of public health, the objective of the slaughterhouse is to guarantee the safety of meat in which meat inspection represent an essential tool to control animal diseases and guarantee the public health. The slaughterhouse can be used as surveillance center for livestock diseases. However, other aspects related with animal and human health, such as epidemiology and disease control in primary production, control of animal welfare on the farm, surveillance of zoonotic agents responsible for food poisoning, as well as surveillance and control of antimicrobial resistance, can be monitored. These controls should not be seen as a last defensive barrier but rather as a complement to the controls carried out on the farm. Regarding the control of diseases in livestock, scientific research is scarce and outdated, not taking advantage of the potential for disease control. Animal welfare in primary production and during transport can be monitored throughout ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection at the slaughterhouse, providing valuable individual data on animal welfare. Surveillance and research regarding antimicrobial resistance (AMR) at slaughterhouses is scarce, mainly in cattle, sheep, and goats. However, most of the zoonotic pathogens are sensitive to the antibiotics studied. Moreover, the prevalence at the slaughterhouse of zoonotic and foodborne agents seems to be low, but a lack of harmonization in terms of control and communication may lead to underestimate its real prevalence.

The Value of Current Ante Mortem Meat Inspection and Food Chain Information of Dairy Cows in Relation to Post Mortem Findings and the Protection of Public Health: A Case for a More Risk-Based Meat Inspection.

In this study, the contribution of the ante mortem (AM) inspection and the food chain information (FCI) to ensuring meat safety and public health was investigated, by evaluating the slaughterhouse findings of 223,600 slaughtered dairy cows in the Netherlands. The outcome of this study was that the ante mortem (AM) and post mortem (PM) inspections have a substantial overlap, and that with regard to food safety and public health in over 99% of cases the PM could even be omitted on the basis of the AM. In this study, the data provided by the dairy farmers on the current FCI forms contributed little to nothing with regard to the outcomes of AM and PM inspection. It is concluded that current meat inspection procedures need an update and a more risk-based approach needs to be adopted. Regarding this, the AM inspection of dairy cattle should remain, because it plays an important role in ensuring food safety (e.g., by preventing contamination of the slaughter line by excessively dirty animals, or animals with abscesses), monitoring animal welfare and in detecting some important notifiable diseases. The PM inspection, however, could in many cases be omitted, provided there is a strict AM inspection complemented by a vastly improved (automated) way of obtaining reliable FCI.

Antimicrobial Profiles and Conventional PCR Assay of Shiga Toxigenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 (STEC) Isolated from Cattle Slaughtered at Bedele Municipal Abattoir, South West Ethiopia.

Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (STEC) is considered the most prevalent food borne pathogen that has gained increasing attention worldwide in recent years. A cross-sectional study was carried out at Bedele Municipal abattoir on cattle that were reported healthy from detailed ante-mortem inspections and having various body conditions scores. A total of 516 samples were collected and examined after enriched in modified peptone water. Following an enrichment, the samples were plated onto MacConkey agar and then onto Eosin methylene blue agar. Finally after a few similar procedures, 14 E. coli O157:H7 (STEC) isolates were confirmed through latex agglutination test. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 statistical software. This study finding revealed that the overall prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 out of 516 samples was found to be 2.7%. However, on sample type basis, the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 from feacal samples, carcass swabs, butcher hand swabs and knife swabs were 4.7%, 3.3%, 1.1% and 1.1%, respectively. It was also found that that the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 was significantly affected by age groups of slaughtered cattle (p<0.05). Moreover, in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility test result on average showed that almost all of E. coli O157:H7 isolates were highly susceptible to kanamycin and no resistance was shown to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin. Finally, the conventional PCR detection of stx1, st2 and hylA genes revealed that only 21.4% and 14.3% were found to contain stx1 and hylA genes respectively. To wrap up, this study showed that Shiga toxin producing E. coli O157:H7 (STEC) isolates were found with almost low overall prevalence rate from all sample sources in this study site. Therefore, improving abattoir facilities and slaughter house workers' personal hygiene are recommended to curtail E. coli O157:H7 meat contamination in this abattoir.

Slaughter of pregnant Tanzania shorthorn Zebu cattle at Morogoro abattoir: Prevalence, fetal wastage, and placentome morphology

Slaughtering pregnant cattle for meat is unethical, impends food security, and brings animal cruelty. A six-month study spinning from June and December 2020 was carried out to determine the number of Tanzania shorthorn zebu (TSHZ) slaughtered cattle, level of fetal wastage, number, size, and morphology of placentomes and their relationship with fetal age, sex, weight, and location in uteri. Results showed that 15,239 cattle were slaughtered, of which 99% (n=15,087) were TSHZ aged above three years. 61.38% (n= 9,353) of slaughtered cattle were female cattle, of which 2,599 (27.79%) were pregnant at varied gestation periods, and only 5,886 (38.63%) were males. Recovered fetuses were 1,450 (55.79%) males and 1,149 (44.21%) females, with a total of 1,081 (41.59%), 919 (35.36%), and 599 (23.05%) recovered in the first, second and third trimester, respectively. Fetal ages varied from 2.2 to 8.9 months, with body length (crown-crump) ranging from 13.7 to 83.1 cm. Fetus weight ranged from 1.1 kg to 23.2 kg. A total of 1545 (59.45%) pregnancies were localized in the right uterine horn, whereas 1054 (40.55%) were in the left uterine horn. The number of placentomes was significantly larger (P &lt; 0.05) in gravid horns ranging from 71 to 115, than in non-gravid horns (5-28). Placentomes in gravid horn were greatly vascularized, large in size, convex in shape, and measured 7 cm in length and 2 cm in width. In non-gravid horns, placentomes were pale, small, and flat and measured 4 cm in length and 1 cm in width. At the microscopic level, the fetal cotyledons comprised a chorionic plate with a smooth external surface of cuboidal epithelium. From the chorionic plate's internal surface, numerous primary villi sprout inside in a pinnate fashion, producing secondary and tertiary villi. A significant fetal loss was resulting from the slaughter of pregnant animals warrants stepping up routine veterinary ante-mortem inspection of traded animals to salvage the high level of fetal wastage.

Risk Assessment Regarding the Contamination of Poultry Meat with Salmonella in a High-Capacity Slaughterhouse

The frequency of salmonellosis in Europe remains high, being considered the second most common foodborne disease. Salmonella spp., was most commonly detected in poultry meat mainly in fresh turkey meat (3.5%) and fresh chickens (2.2%). The study aims to identify the level of contamination of poultry meat with Salmonella spp. and performing a risk assessment. The samples were collected from a large capacity slaughterhouse on two slaughter lines, from two groups of poultry. An antemortem and postmortem examination was conducted and the samples collected from the neck of poultry carcasses were analyzed using the VIDAS® bioMérieux automatic test using analytical technique. The results of the antemortem inspection indicated negative results. The postmortem examination on group I and group II indicated different types of lesions. The surveillance of contamination of poultry meat with germs of the genus Salmonella spp. highlighted 397 compliant samples in group I, out of a total of 403 samples and 6 non-compliant samples. Salmonella infantis was identified in these non-compliant samples following laboratory examination. The lesions associated with Salmonella infection are not specific and therefore there is no direct correlation between the results of laboratory examination and lesions.

Characterizing candidate decompression rates for hypobaric hypoxic stunning of pigs. Part 2: Pathological consequences.

Pigs are commonly stunned pre-slaughter by exposure to carbon dioxide (CO2), but this approach is associated with significant welfare concerns. Hypobaric hypoxia, achieved with gradual decompression (also known as Low Atmospheric Pressure Stunning or LAPS) may be an alternative, allowing the retention of welfare friendly handling approaches and group stunning. Although validated in poultry, the feasibility and welfare consequences of gradual decompression for pigs are unknown. Here, we characterize pathological changes in 60 pigs resulting from exposure to a range of candidate decompression curves (ranging from 40 to 100 ms-1 ascent equivalent, with two cycle durations 480 and 720 s). To protect welfare, we worked on unconscious, terminally anesthetized pigs which were subject to detailed post-mortem examinations by a specialized porcine veterinary pathologist. All pigs were killed as a result of exposure to decompression, irrespective of cycle rate or length. Pigs showed no external injuries during ante-mortem inspections. Exposing pigs to decompression and the unavoidable subsequent recompression resulted in generalized congestion of the carcass, organs and body cavities including the ears, oral cavity, conjunctivae and sclera, mucosa of other external orifices (anus and vulva), nasal planum, nasal cavities including nasal conchae, frontal sinuses, cranium, meninges, brain, larynx, trachea, lungs, heart, parietal pleura of the thoracic cavity, peritoneum of the abdominal cavity, stomach, small intestine, caecum, colon, liver, spleen and kidneys and representative joint cavities in the limbs (stifles and elbows). Various severities of hemorrhage were observed in the conjunctivae and sclera, mucosa of other external orifices (anus and vulva), nasal cavities including nasal conchae, frontal sinuses, cranium, meninges, brain, larynx, tracheal lumen, lungs, parietal pleura of the thoracic cavity, liver, spleen and kidneys and representative joint cavities in the limbs (stifles and elbows). In general, faster decompression rates produced higher scores, but in the conjunctivae, sclera and kidneys, faster decompression rates were associated with marginally lower congestion scores. There was considerable individual variation in pathological scores across all body regions. The congestion and hemorrhage observed could translate into welfare harms in conscious pigs undergoing this type of stunning, depending when in the cycle the damage is occurring, but no welfare related conclusions can be drawn from the responses of unconscious pigs. Since recompression is always required, its effects cannot be separated from decompression, however cessation of cardiac activity several minutes before recompression should have eliminated any haemodynamic effects relating to cardiac function and blood pressure. This study represents the first systematic attempt to identify candidate rate profiles to underpin future explorations of decompression as a stunning method for pigs. These pathological findings also inform discussions about the likely carcass quality implications of this novel stunning method.

Foetal Wastage and Disease Prevalence among Slaughtered Livestock at Zaria Abattoir

This study was conducted to determine foetal wastage and disease prevalence among slaughtered livestock (cattle, camels, sheep and goats) in Zaria Abattoir as affected by species and season. These losses pose a great threat to the future population of Nigerian livestock. Records from the year 2009 to 2012 were collected from the management of Zaria Abattoir. The record includes; the number of animals slaughtered monthly, monthly foetal losses, disease incidence and organs infected and the most predominant disease found among slaughtered animals. A total of 4,675 female animals were slaughtered in the Abattoir, with a total of 339 foetuses recovered in 2012. Statistically, there is no significant difference (P&gt;0.05) between species, however, there is statistical significance (P&lt;0.05) of the season on the diseases prevalent. The highest number of foetal wastage was observed in the month of July with 42% and February had the lowest value of 17%. Fascioliasis had the highest mean value of disease prevalence (63.13%) and mastitis had the lowest mean value (0.06%).The wet season (31.36%) recorded the highest occurrence of foetal wastage than the dry season (12.84%). To achieve high production and have a sustainable livestock industry capable of meeting the nutritional demands of Nigerians, remedial measures have to be taken to stop the liquidation of pregnant female animals through the slaughtering of pregnant animals. It is, therefore, recommended that ante-mortem inspection should be conducted to identify pregnant and diseased animals before slaughter.

Prevalence of indigestible foreign bodies and its associated potential risk factors in rumen and reticulum of domestic ruminants at Bishoftu Elfora Export Abattoir.

Nowadays ingestion of indigestible foreign bodies poses serious economic loss to domestic ruminants, especially in a developing country. The study aims to determine the prevalence of indigestible foreign bodies in the forestomach of domestic ruminants slaughtered at Bishoftu Elfora Export Abattoir and its associated potential risk factors and identify the location and type of these indigestible foreign bodies. On 384 domestic ruminants (171 goats, 125 sheep and 88 cattle) presented for slaughter from different zones of the region. Cross-sectional study design was conducted from May 2021 to September 2021. Each animal was subjected to ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection by providing a unique identification number. For post-mortem examination, the forestomach was carefully removed from the abdominal cavity. For the positives, the location was properly recorded, washed, identified and photographed. The overall prevalence of indigestible foreign bodies in domestic ruminants was 30.73% (118/384). Of these, 32.75% (56/171), 28% (35/125) and 30.68% (27/88) were recorded in goats, sheep and cattle, respectively, without statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). Aged domestic ruminants 39.3% (33/84) had poor body conditions 38.98% (23/59), originated from the Borena zone 42.11% (16/38) and were relatively recorded with higher prevalence. From the forestomach compartments, the indigestible foreign bodies were majorly found in rumen 86.43% (102/118) and reticulum 13.56% (16/118) with a statistical difference (p < 0.05). Ingestion of indigestible foreign bodies mainly during the dry season due to shortage of forage, less biodegradable and negligent waste disposal like plastic bags attribute environmental and animal health problems and pose loss to the national economy.

PENDAMPINGAN PEMERIKSAAN HEWAN DAN DAGING QURBAN DI MASA PANDEMI COVID-19

Slaughtering of sacrificial animals is a worship activity for slaughtering ruminant livestock which is carried out on Eid al-Adha and carried out in mosques or outside Slaughterhouses (RPH). The limited facilities affect the welfare of the animals so that it affects the quality of the meat. Supervision in the production chain with antemortem and postmortem inspections is carried out to obtain good quality meat. This community service aims to help the community get a guarantee of safe, healthy, whole and halal, sacrificial animal meat with antemortem and postmortem examinations, as well as holding counseling on the handling of sacrificial animals and meat during the covid-19 pandemic through webinars. The activity was carried out in 13 mosques in the areas of Surabaya, Sidoarjo, Gresik, and Pasuruan. The antemortem examination will be held on 19-22 July 2021 followed by a post-mortem examination which will be held on 20-22 July 2021 with a total number of 112 cows, 220 goats and 1 sheep. The Webinar was held earlier, namely on July 14, 2021, by 3 competent speakers. The webinar was attended by the general public, mosque takmir, lecturers, and students. The results of the antemortem examination indicated that the animals were suitable for slaughter, although 2–6 (0.6–1.8%) animals showed diarrhea, nasal and eye discharge, and infection of the prepuce. The results of postmortem examination stated that the animals were fit for consumption with a note that the organs infected with worms had to be removed, namely 15.2% of the liver of cattle and 0.9% of the liver of goats with fasciolosis, 0.5% of goats experiencing parampistomiasis and 1.7% of cattle experiencing eurytrematosis.