Investigation of Food Animal Disease Problems in the State of Wasthington

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The control animal disease and of zoonotic and food-borne disease agents can be addressed by epidemiological research at the level of the farm. Research that can define the epidemiology of zoonotic pathogens in the livestock industry can lead to HACCP procedures that will reduce their impact on the well being of the public The program continues to have a significant impact on the on-farm definition and control of animal disease problems. Studies continue to define the on farm epidemiology of zoonotic agents such as E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp and Listeria monocytogenes. The program also addresses diseases of importance to livestock in the State on Washington. <P>

APPROACH: The methodology of investigation will vary according to the problem under consideration. In general, it will include the detailed definition of the problem by farm visitation, data recording, and record analysis and the establishment of hypotheses and risk factors for its cause and spread by standard epidemiologic analysis, laboratory analysis, post mortem analysis and response trial analysis. There will be a concentration of effort in the areas of mastitis, and the ecology of zoonotic disease agents - especially Salmonella typhimurium DT 104 and Escherichia coli 0157:H7 and Mycobacterium paratuberculosis; and multi-drug resistant Salmonella sp. Efforts will also be directed at advancement of research in studies of the epidemiology of Neospora caninum. For those diseases where there are specific research thrusts and funded projects study design and analysis is according to the grant proposal. Study herds are identified that have management or other characteristics required for the study. Herds may be selected on demographic characteristics, production characteristics or other parameters for survey studies or in selected cross sectional, case control or cohort studies.