Sludge Watch ==> Birds as vector - carrying diseases from sludge sites and feedlots

[Maureen Reilly]

Sludgewatch Admin:

I have watched the Canada geese graze on fresh sludge spread fields and fear 
for those who had to deal with the goose feces later...and read the research 
on how Canada geese spread antibiotic resistant bacteria the length of their 
migratory flightpaths.



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OHIO: Scientists link wild birds to E coli contamination
26.sep.07
Ohio Farmer

http://ohiofarmer.com/index.aspx?ascxid=fpStory&fpsid=30134&fpstid=2

In order to help minimize foodborne illnesses throughout the country, 
scientists at Ohio State University are gathering data about the role wild 
birds play in E. coli contamination on farms. The goal is to design 
effective pre-harvest control strategies.

Jeff LeJeune, a microbiologist and veterinary scientist with the 
university's Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) in 
Wooster, leads the groundbreaking study, which concentrates on an invasive 
nuisance bird whose impact on the propagation of disease-causing pathogens 
has not been determined: European starlings.

The story says there's strong evidence that these birds harbor E. coli and 
other dangerous organisms such as Salmonella and Campylobacter, and that 
they contribute to the spread of pathogens between farms. Studies have found 
that E. coli O157-H7 strains isolated from European starlings are the same 
as strains found on dairy farms in close geographical proximity.
LeJeune was quoted as saying, "This is the first study about the 
relationship between European starlings and food safety. We need to know how 
much these birds are contributing to infection on farms to see if management 
strategies to reduce their numbers or restrict access to livestock-feeding 
areas are warranted. If you can prevent infection on the farm, you'll 
positively impact food safety downstream."


Cattle are an important foodborne route of human infection with E. coli via 
contaminated ground beef and raw milk, and manure is an important 
environmental source of contamination, which is why we are concentrating our 
study on dairy farms. This research will also be important to find out 
whether starlings are contributing to the spread of E. coli on vegetable 
fields as they fly between dairy farms.