PMVPH: Zoonoses control in food animals

Question 1

What % of new, emerging or re-emerging human diseases are caused by pathogens that originate from animals or animal products?

Answer 1

> 75%

Question 2

Factors for the emergence of zoonoses

Answer 2

environmental changes
human and animal demography
pathogen changes
changes in farming practices
social and cultural factors (food habits, religious beliefs, use of countryside)

Question 3

List some neglected endemic diseases

Answer 3

anthrax, brucellosis, bovine TB, cysticercosis and neurocysticercosis, hydatid disease, rabies, human African trypanosomiasis

Question 4

Transmission pathways of pathogens ?

Answer 4

Pathogens are typically foodborne but can also be transmitted via direct contact or through the environment

Question 5

What happens with a notifiable disease?

Answer 5

statutory requirement to report a suspicion of a clinical case of disease (Brucella, Bovine TB, avian influenza)

Question 6

What is a reportable disease?

Answer 6

the report is to be made by the laboratory which isolated the organism from an animal derived sample (salmonella, Brucella)

Question 7

Who does the Health Protection (Notification) Regualtions 2010 apply to?

Answer 7

Mostly the medical profession

Question 8

What is RIDDOR?

Answer 8

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurences Regulations. Applies to farms and vet practices.

Question 9

Give some examples of occupational, non-notifiable zoonoses. 8

Answer 9

Resistant bacteria (AMR)
leptospirosis
louping ill
Newcastle disease
Orf (Parapoxvirus) - contagious pustular dermatitis
Toxoplasma gondii
Trychophytum spp (ringworm)
Salmonellosis

Question 10

What are the bacteria for which emergence of resistance is a major issue?

Answer 10

Gram negatives

Question 11

What are the sources of AMR?

Answer 11

environment, production animals, humans, vets, dogs/cats, wildlife, hospitals, meat/eggs/milk

Question 12

What is LA-MRSA?

Answer 12

Large animal MRSA (affects geese, horses and veal)

Question 13

Define risk

Answer 13

probability of occurrence and consequences. (e.g. probability to be infected with a pathogen originating from a food producing animal)

Question 14

What are the ‘consequences’ in the risk definition?

Answer 14

disease severity, treatment options, duration of illness, costs

Question 15

What are the elements of risk analysis? 3

Answer 15

Risk assessment - science based
Risk management - policy based
Risk communication - interactive exchange of information and opinions concerning risks

Question 16

What is needed to assess the risk of infection with a pathogen originating from a food animal?

Answer 16

Evidence of prevalence of the hazard in target population
Information about biology of the hazard
Consequences of exposure to humans

Question 17

What is CoSHH?

Answer 17

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (produced by HSE)
-barrier precautions
-good hygiene
-sanitation and disinfection
appropriate waste disposal
-proper use of isolation facilities
-education of animal owners

Question 18

What is PPE?

Answer 18

Personal Protective Equipment

Question 19

What PPE is recommended for use during parturition or handling of conception products?

Answer 19

Levels 4 and 5 (e.g. protective clothing, gloves, surgical mask, goggles and face shield)

Question 20

What are the 4 main things CoSHH does?

Answer 20

• Assess the risks to health
• Prevents or controls exposure
• Introduces and maintains control measures
• Regularly reviews risks assessments and control measure efficacy

Question 21

How does CoSHH adivse farms?

Answer 21

vaccinate and worm
avoid contaminating animal drinking water
routine health checks by vet
implement Herd Health Plan
good animal husbandry and management practices
implement biosecurity
promote use of PPE
follow good personal hygiene
inform, instruct and train employees and visitors
detect and report human and animal diseases
control pests and vermin

Question 22

Why is under-reporting of occupational zoonoses often a problem?

Answer 22

lack of awareness (esp rural areas)
subclinical infection
clinical signs minor and not perceived to require medical attention
negative impact (farmers and employees)

Question 23

What happened at Godstone Farm, 2009 (Aug-Sep)?

Answer 23

E.coli O157 outbreak. >93 people infected, mostly children, youngest was 4 years old, dialysis because of kidney failure, farm remained open for 1 month after first case before being fully closed.

Question 24

What causes Q fever? Where was there a significant outbreak?

Answer 24

Widespread outbreak of Coxiella burnetti, linked to outbreaks of abortions in dairy goat farms, poor management of disposal of abortion materials and of manure reported., testing and culling ensued, mandatory vaccination, ban of breeding of milking sheep and goats in farms > 50 animals (up to July 2010), waste management recommendations, hygiene protocols for all dairy goat and sheep farms.