ARS | Publication request: Fate and Transport of Zoonotic, Bacterial, Viral, and Parasitic Pathogens During Swine Manure Treatment, Storage, and Land Application

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: January 16, 2010
Publication Date: March 26, 2010
Citation: Ziemer, C.J., Bonner, J., Cole, D., Vinje, J., Constantini, V., Goyal, S., Gramer, M., Mackie, R., Meng, X.J., Myers, G., Saif, L.J. 2010. Fate and Transport of Zoonotic, Bacterial, Viral, and Parasitic Pathogens During Swine Manure Treatment, Storage, and Land Application. Journal of Animal Science. 88:E84-E94.

Technical Abstract: The public is always somewhat aware of foodborne and other zoonotic pathogens; however, recent illnesses traced to produce and the emergence of another avian influenza virus have increased the scrutiny on all areas of food production. The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) has recently published a comprehensive review of the fate and transport of zoonotic pathogens that can be associated with swine manure. The majority of microbes in swine manure are not zoonotic, but a number of bacterial, viral, and parasitic pathogens have been detected. Awareness of the potential zoonotic pathogens in swine manure and how treatment, storage, and handling affect their survival and their potential to persist in the environment is critical to ensure that producers and consumers are not at risk. This review covers the primary zoonotic pathogens associated with swine manure; including, bacteria, viruses, and parasites, as well as their fate and transport. Because the ecology of microbes in swine waste is still poorly described, a number of recommendations for future research are made to better understand and reduce human health risks. These recommendations include examination of environmental and ecological conditions that contribute to off-farm transport and development of quantitative risk assessments.