Prevention
No unique control
methods are presently available for S.t.DT 104 in humans.
Control measures that are effective against other types of
Salmonella may reduce the likelihood of transmission of this
strain. Control relies on decreasing exposure through hygienic
processing of animal products and proper preparation and storage
of cooked food products. Specific measures include thoroughly
cooking foods of animal origin, avoiding cross contamination
of other foods, avoiding consumption of unpasteurized dairy
products, and educating food handlers regarding proper food
hygiene. Even in the absence of adequate control methods in
animals, instituting appropriate control methods at food preparation
will minimize the number of human outbreaks.
Special attention
should be paid to the hygienic habits of people being in close
contact with sick animals or pets having S.t. DT104 infection,
because they not only may get the disease, but also can spread
it.
There are no vaccines
available, either for animals or humans, against this particular
type of Salmonella.
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The emergence of
Salmonella strains that are resistant to commonly used antibiotics
is important to clinicians, microbiologists, those responsible
for the control of communicable disease and to those in the
food industry. Control of multi-drug resistant S.t. DT104
requires reducing infection in food animals and lowering the
risk of contamination at all stages in the food production
chain. There is little doubt that the persistence of Salmonella
typhimurium DT104 in food animals has been enhanced by the
use of antibiotics in animal husbandry. In 1994 the World
Health Organization Scientific Working Group on Monitoring
and Management of Bacterial Resistance to Antimicrobial Agents
recommended that the unnecessary use of antibiotics in food
animals should be discouraged and that antimicrobial agents
should not be used as a substitute for adequate hygiene in
animal husbandry. To fight the spread of multi-resistant S.t.Dt104,
a reappraisal of the use of antibiotics in food animals is
needed. The incidence of animal and human disease related
to resistant bacteria could be reduced by avoiding unnecessary
use of antibiotics and promoting good hygienic practice in
all stages of food animal production and processing.
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The surveillance
of natural reservoirs is important in tracing and controlling
the spread of infection. These reservoirs include farm animals
(cattle, swine, sheep, and poultry), companion animals (dogs
and cats), and wildlife. Consumable products originating from
farm animals should be tested regularly for the presenc of
S.t.Dt104 and especially strains that have developed antibiotic
resistance. The early identification of animals that harbor
S.t.Dt104 will aid in preventing the further spread of the
organism.
With respect to
surveillance of S.t.Dt104 in the human population, the CDC
is currently operating the "Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance
Network" (FoodNet) in the United States. This large scale
surveillance network is responsible for tracing the sources
of organisms such as S.t.Dt104, as well as monitoring the
spread of these pathogens, and determining individual risk
factors.
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