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This project will collect fox carcasses from around the United Kingdom for Trichinella testing as an indicator of the risk of infection in pigs (2005-2008).
<p>Trichinella testing in foxes, as an indicator wildlife species, will be undertaken in Great Britain.
<p>Approximately 3000 foxes will be collected from around Great Britain (including data from existing surveys) and subject to post-mortem removal of relevant tissues for analysis.
<p>Disease awareness will be maintained by carrying out rolling yearly surveys from November 2006.
The practicality of examining other wildlife species as an indicator of Trichinella infection will also be assessed.
Meat of domestic swine, wild boar, horses and other animal species may be infested with nematodes of the genus Trichinella. Consumption of meat infested with Trichinella can cause serious disease in humans.
<p>EC regulation 2075/2005 states that pig holdings can be declared Trichinella free if a surveillance programme of wildlife susceptible to Trichinella is in existence and prevalence in the indicator wildlife species is below 0.5%.
This survey will add to existing survey data carried out by CSL (2000-2005).
<p>Find more about this project and other FSA food safety-related projects at the <a href="http://www.food.gov.uk/science/research/" target="_blank">Food
Standards Agency Research webpage</a>.