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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #82351
Title: RISK FACTORS FOR TRICHINOSIS IN NEW ENGLAND AND NEW JERSEY SWINE FARMS

Author
item BRADY, ROBERT - APHIS, VET SERVICES, MD
item Gamble, Howard
item BULAGA, LESLIE - APHIS, VET SERVICES, MD

Submitted to: Epidemiology and Economics Symposium
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/14/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: As part of the National Trichinae Research Project, sera and risk factor data were collected from swine farms in New England and New Jersey. Farms were included from New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. An effort was made to include equal numbers of grain, garbage, and non-regulated food waste feeders. A standardized questionnaire about trichinellosis risk factors was completed by state or federal personnel for each participating farm. Questionnaire responses were based on answers given by farm managers and by observation. Serological testing employed an ELISA test using an excretory-secretory antigen. We defined "positive" farms as those with at least one ELISA seropositive swine. "Suspect" farms are those with no seropositive swine but with at least one swine considered suspect by means of the ELISA test. "Negative" farms are those with no swine serologically non-regulated food wastes, have eevidence of rodent infestation, allow access to live wildlife, allow acces to wildlife carcasses, and allow access to swine carcasses. Seropositive farms were less likely to have cats present. Seropositive farms tended to have larger numbers of swine and fewer cats. Only two risk factors had statistically significant associations with seropositive status: rodent infestation and access to wildlife carcasses. We suggest these factors be considered when designing programs for producing trichinae-safe pork.