VPH

Question 1

Farm to fork stages of fresh beef production

Answer 1

Breeding → Transport → Lairage → Ante-mortem inspection → Slaughter → Dressing → Post-mortem inspection → Processing → Distribution → Retail

Question 2

E. coli O157: H7 risk reduction

Answer 2

Farm: Hygiene, water/feed safety, animal health.

Transport: Clean vehicles, reduce stress.

Abattoir: Careful hide removal, evisceration, hygiene.

Inspection: Detect contamination.

Retail: Chill chain, cooking instructions

Question 2

Vet responsibilities for reducing risk of E. coli O157:H7

Answer 2

Farm: Biosecurity, herd health.

Transport: Fitness to travel checks.

Slaughter: Ante/post-mortem inspection.

Throughout: HACCP, public health communication.

Question 3

Hydatid cysts

Answer 3

From Echinococcus granulosus, dog-sheep lifecycle, fluid-filled, often in liver/lungs (sheep), zoonotic

Question 4

Cysticercus ovis

Answer 4

From Taenia ovis, dog-sheep lifecycle, found in striated muscle (heart diaphragm), not zoonotic.

Question 5

Are cysticercus ovis cysts zoonotic?

Answer 5

No

Question 6

How are hydatid cysts dealt with at PMI?

Answer 6

Total rejection of affected organ, if in 2 or more places total rejection of carcase

Question 7

Effective captive bolt stunning

Answer 7

Correct position, restraint, right cartridge, immediate bleeding.

Signs of effective stun: Collapse, no breathing, glazed eyes.

Bleed within 15s

Question 8

Signs of effective bleeding

Answer 8

Strong blood flow
Vessels fully severed (both carotids, and jugulars in cattle)

Question 9

Examples of pig zoonoses

Answer 9

Salmonella (faeco-oral)
Trichinella spiralis (undercooked pork)
Leptospira (urine)
Hepatitis E virus (undercooked pork)
Streptococcus suis (open wounds)

Question 10

Unprocessed vs processed meat

Answer 10

Unprocessed meat: Raw, cut, chilled—no chemical/thermal alteration. Risks of E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter etc.

Processed meat: Salted, cured, smoked, cooked etc. Risks of Listeria, Clostridia etc.

Question 11

Reasons for total carcase rejection

Answer 11

Generalised disease (septicaemia, TB)

Emaciation

Abscessation (widespread)

Contamination

Jaundice

Cachexia

Question 12

Non-zoonotic notifiable disease of cattle

Answer 12

Enzootic bovine leukosis, bluetongue, lumpy skin, epizootic haemorrhagic disease.

Question 13

Legislation of work safety

Answer 13

Health and safety at work act 1974
COSHH

Employer responsible

Question 14

Cat zoonoses

Answer 14

Toxoplasma gondii
Bartonella henselae
Ringworm
Rabies