Cross infection from animals to humans is well established and many infectious diseases are spread through many 'carriers' co-existing in the environment. But cases of animals getting infected from humans through contact are not well documented though there is a belief that such a possibility is remote. Recent findings by scientists that domesticated chickens, the very foundation of to day's poultry meat industry, were afflicted by bacterial diseases having origin in the humans, can have grave implications on the future of animal based foods.
"It is thought to be the first clear evidence of bacteria crossing from humans to animals and spreading since animals were domesticated around 10,000 years ago. Dr Ross Fitzgerald, of the Roslin Institute, said he believed the transfer is linked to major changes in the poultry industry over the last few decades.Half a century ago, chickens were reared for their eggs, with meat regarded as a by-product. Now the demand for meat has led to a poultry industry dominated by a few multinational companies which supply a limited number of breeding lines to a global market, thereby promoting the spread of the bacteria around the world."
It may be far fetched to imagine that industry can insulate meat animals from human contact through robotics or by disease free handling personnel. Diversification of the breeding lines may be the only option that can help to protect the poultry industry from large scale damages due to infection from the operating personnel.
V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com
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