Location: Water Management and Conservation Research
Project Number: 2020-13000-004-005-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 27, 2019
End Date: Jun 28, 2021
Objective:
Collect fecal samples from animals legally killed during the yearly seasonal hunts conducted in the state of Arizona to help understand the role of wildlife on the contamination of fresh produce by bacterial enteric foodborne pathogens.
Approach:
Design a sampling plan to collect environmental samples from the agricultural and surrounding areas of the Yuma Valley region of Arizona. Design should include sample type (e.g. soil, water, sediment, air, produce etc.), ecological compartment (e.g. agricultural crops not for human consumption, wildlife refuges, recreational areas etc.), number of samples to be collected, timing and frequency of collection, and sampling procedures to be used. Collect samples based on sampling plan. Analyze samples for specified bacterial foodborne pathogens. Items to consider include E. coli O157/Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC), Salmonella, Listeria ssp. and L. monocytogenes, and Campylobacter. Results should be reported on a regular basis (e.g. monthly). Results will be disseminated via peer reviewed publication and presentation at respected scientific meetings.
