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Pork tapeworm “of greatest concern”
meat counter
Health organisations have listed the top 10 most concerning food-borne parasites.
New guidelines for parasite control in development

A food health committee is working to develop new guidelines for parasite control after it was revealed pork tapeworm, or Taenia solium, is the most concerning global food-borne parasite.

A list of the top 10 most concerning food-borne parasites has been released by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and World Health Organisation (WHO).

The parasites affect the health of millions of people every year, resulting in huge social costs and global impacts, yet FAO says information is generally lacking on where they come from, how they live in the human body and how they cause illness.

The top 10 are:
  1. Taenia solium (pork tapeworm): In pork
  2. Echinococcus granulosus (hydatid worm or dog tapeworm): In fresh produce
  3. Echinococcus multilocularis (a type of tapeworm): In fresh produce
  4. Toxoplasma gondii (protozoa): In meat from small ruminants, pork, beef, game meat (red meat and organs)
  5. Cryptosporidium spp.(protozoa): In fresh produce, fruit juice, milk
  6. Entamoeba histolytica (protozoa): In fresh produce
  7. Trichinella spiralis (pork worm): In pork
  8. Opisthorchiidae (family of flatworms): In freshwater fish
  9. Ascaris spp. (small intestinal roundworms): In fresh produce
  10. Trypanosoma cruzi (protozoa): In fruit juices

The top 10 rankings are based on the burden placed on human health by the parasites, and other factors.

The list was created at the request of global food standards body, the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex). FAO and WHO were asked to review current knowledge on parasites in food, as well as public health and trade implications.

A global call for information led to responses from 22 nations and one regional body, followed by an analysis by 21 experts of the impacts of food-borne parasites.

The Codex Committee of Food Hygiene are now producing new guidelines for the control of these parasites, with scientific and technical information supplied by WHO.

It aims to create new standards for the global food trade to help countries control these parasites in the food chain.

A joint report by the FAO and WHO lists a number of ways to reduce parasite infection, such as monitoring the use of organic fertilisers in farming, particularly on produce, to ensure it is composted properly and all fecal matter is removed. The report also advises close monitoring of water quality, and, for consumers, all meat should be well cooked, with only clean water used to wash and prepare vegetables.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.