Epidemiology and Infection
- Epidemiology and Infection / Volume 139 / Issue 05 / May 2011, pp 754-764
- Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0950268810001767 (About DOI), Published online: 26 July 2010
Gastrointestinal infection
Modelling food safety and economic consequences of surveillance and control strategies for Salmonella in pigs and pork
F. M. BAPTISTAa1a2 c1, T. HALASAa3, L. ALBANa4 and L. R. NIELSENa1
a1 Department of Large Animal Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
a2 CIISA, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, TU Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal
a3 Technical University of Denmark, National Veterinary Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
a4 Danish Agricultural & Food Council, Axelborg, Copenhagen, Denmark
SUMMARY
Targets for maximum acceptable levels of Salmonella in pigs and pork are to be decided. A stochastic simulation model accounting for herd and abattoir information was used to evaluate food safety and economic consequences of different surveillance and control strategies, based among others on Danish surveillance data. An epidemiological module simulated the Salmonella carcass prevalence for different scenarios. Cost-effectiveness analysis was used to compare the costs of the different scenarios with their expected effectiveness. Herd interventions were not found sufficient to attain Salmonella carcass prevalence <1%. The cost-effectiveness of abattoir interventions changed with abattoir size. The most cost-effective strategy included the use of steam vacuum and steam ultrasound. Given uncertainty of the effect of steam vacuum and steam ultrasound, model results should be updated as more information becomes available. This framework contributes to informed decision-making for a more cost-effective surveillance and control of Salmonella in pigs and pork.
(Accepted June 28 2010)
(Online publication July 26 2010)
Key Words:
Correspondence:
c1 Author for correspondence: Dr F. M. Baptista, Department of Large Animal Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 8, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark. (Email: baptista@life.ku.dk)
