For the past eight years the Commission has been gathering data on zoonoses prevalent within the EU under the terms of the 1992 zoonoses directive. The directive requires the Commission to present proposals by the end of 2000 suggesting measures for control and prevention. To assist it in this task, it asked the Scientific Committee on Veterinary Measures Relating to Public Health (SCVPH) to look at current control methods and produce risk assessments and recommendations for the future.

The committee duly produced a 200 page report, focusing on seven foodborne zoonoses of major concern - Campylobacter, Salmonella, VTEC, Cryptosporidium, Echinoccocus sp, Listeria monocytogenes, and Trichinella sp. The report describes each pathogen, its host, incidence of human disease, prevalence and ecology in food and the management options currently in place, before suggesting research needs and management options. Risk assessments for the first five zoonoses are annexed to the report. The committee advises that the basic principle for control should be preventing or minimising animal infection and thereby contamination of the food chain.

It rules out a return to the disease levels of 20 years ago and says instead that any new approach should relate mainly to the magnitude and nature of the current problem and the potential for change. The key elements of this approach should be to:

• concentrate effort as closely to the source as possible
• redirect and, if necessary, revisit old inspection and control routines to focus on pathogens of major importance
• use risk assessment to ensure the best scientific basis for risk management decisions
• continue monitoring and surveillance and correlate food prevalence and disease incidence to risk management efforts.

The report highlights current weaknesses in relation to zoonoses. It then considers new approaches such as Food Safety Objectives - where an acceptable level of pathogens at the point of consumption is set, possibly derived from the infectious dose and safety margin - and epidemiological intelligence, a system for data gathering and analysis.

The report examines each part of the food chain and suggests improvements. Most recommendations are for basic good hygiene, with the importance of maintaining the chill chain and educating food handlers stressed. One or two areas have attracted the attention of the press - for example, the annex on VTEC says the use of cattle pastures for concerts, fairs and markets should not be recommended. A summary of the recommendations on Campylobacter, Listeria, VTEC, Salmonella and Cryptosporidium follows.

Campylobacter: The only successful preventive option for poultry flocks seems to be the establishment at farm level of hygiene barriers for each poultryhouse. Slaughter level techniques such as the use of forced air cooling seem to work. Investigation into a general change in meat inspection procedures to avoid faecal and cross-contamination is recommended. The effect of different food treatments and preservation techniques on Campylobacter sp survival and death rates should be investigated. The importance of preventing faecal contamination of surface waters is stressed and research into "viable but non culturable" forms of Campylobacter is advised. A practical subspecies typing system should be developed and an assessment of the fluroquinolone resistant strains should be made.

Listeria monocytogenes: Since the traditional cooling chain does not prevent growth of L. monocytogenes, the focus has been on preventing contamination of ready-to-eat foods. SCVPH suggests an overall FSO of below 100cfu/g at time of consumption with lower limits for particular food groups. It recommends consideration of appropriate temperature and storage time combinations for vulnerable food groups and increased hygiene efforts in plants with recurrent problems. It also supports giving advice to susceptible consumer groups.

Salmonella: The importance of clean feed production and heat treatment of feed is stressed. Haccp in feed manufacturing has helped improve Salmonella status in primary production. The role to be played by competitive exclusion and the use of probiotics should be examined. Strategies should focus on breaking the on-farm cycle of infection. Control measures should be used in farms with unacceptable levels of infection. Farms where there is evidence of strains with reduced susceptibility to antibiotics should be identified and slaughterhouses should take steps to reduce carcase contamination. An investigation into risks posed by the use of manure and recycled sewage and slurry for fertiliser is suggested, along with investigation into the potential for irrigation water to cause salmonellosis.

VTEC: Raw milk is mentioned but a ban is not recommended. Labels warning people of the risks are suggested, along with advice to children and the elderly not to drink it. "Proper" heat treatment of meat preparations such as hamburgers and, controversially, steaks and roast beef, should be used. Fruit juice from fallen fruit should be pasteurised. Manure must not be disposed of in such a way that water or food could be contaminated and farm visitors should be advised to wash their hands before eating. People working on or visiting farms should wear appropriate protective clothing. Also recommended are: a clean animal policy in abattoirs, better transport conditions for slaughter animals, a review of dressing and evisceration in line with the committee's previous report(1), decontamination of carcases if needed and food safety education programmes for those working with food. Children with bloody diarrhoea should not be allowed into swimming pools.

Cryptosporidium: Water contamination is the cornerstone to controlling Cryptosporidium. This includes the proper management of young animals to prevent clinical disease. More efficient filtration and improved methods of oocyst removal are needed.
Effective management of water supplies to isolate reservoirs and the use of safer sources during periods of high risk are also important. Immuno-compromised persons need to be made aware of the risks of contaminated water. Public health officials should develop protocols on when to issue, and subsequently lift, advice on boiling water for drinking. There should be a discussion forum in each state to include all relevant professionals.
Strict regimens should be in place to prevent and control contamination of swimming pools. As with VTEC, adequate supervision of children and handwashing should be ensured where there is direct contact with animals. Eradication in ruminant populations is not a feasible option but management of young animals may prevent clinical disease. Improved methods are needed to identify and assess the risk of Cryptosporidium sp in foods.

Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Veterinary Measures relating to Public Health on food-borne zoonoses. 12 April 2000.
europa.eu.int/comm/dg24/health/sc/scv/out32_en.pdf
1 Opinion of the SCVMPH on the revision of meat inspection procedures. 24 Feb. europa.eu.int/comm/dg24/health/sc/scv/out30_en.pdf