Tag: pathogen
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Court Overrules U.S. Objections to Peanut Corp. Owner’s Attorney
A federal court in Georgia has overruled the government’s objections to Stewart Parnell’s representation by attorney Kenneth Hodges in the defense of criminal charges arising from a Salmonella outbreak allegedly traced to Parnell’s former company, Peanut Corp. of America. United States v. Parnell, 13-12 (M.D. Ga., order entered May 30, 2013). Because the government’s motion…
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EFSA and ECDC Issue Report on Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) have issued their third joint report “on antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic bacteria affecting humans, animals and foods.” Based on data collected by member states in 2011, the report notes the “continued presence of resistance to a range of antimicrobials in Salmonella and…
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Engineered Avian and Swine Flu Hybrids Raise Concerns About Mammal-to-Mammal Transmission
Chinese scientists investigating the spread of airborne influenzas have reportedly combined genetic material from avian (H5N1) and swine (H1N1) flu strains to create more than 100 different hybrid viruses, five of which proved contagious among mammals. Ying Zhang, et al., “H5N1 Hybrid Viruses Bearing 2009/H1N1 Virus Genes Transmit in Guinea Pigs by Respiratory Droplet,” Science, May…
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Report Finds Contaminated Turkey Contains Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
According to a new Consumer Reports study that analyzed ground turkey purchased at retail store nationwide, more than one-half of the 257 samples tested were contaminated with fecal bacteria and “almost all” of the diseasecausing organisms “proved resistant to one or more of the antibiotics commonly used to fight them.” The magazine tested both conventional…
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Peanut Company Owner Fails in Bid to Reclaim Passport
A federal court in Georgia considering the criminal charges filed against former Peanut Corp. of America owner Stewart Parnell has denied his request for the return of his passport “for purposes of employment-related international travel.” United States v. Parnell, No. 13-12 (M.D. Ga., order entered April 26, 2013). Parnell apparently surrendered his passport as a…
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EWG Report Focuses on “Superbugs in Supermarkets”
According to an Environmental Working Group (EWG) analysis, more than one-half of meat and poultry samples tested in 2011 contained antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Using findings from the federal government’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System, the report asserts that “store-bought meat tested in 2011 contained antibiotic-resistant bacteria in 81 percent of raw ground turkey, 69 percent of raw…
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WHO Issues Global Alert on New Strain of Avian Influenza (H7N9)
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a global alert and response update on a new strain of novel avian influenza A (H7N9) virus identified by Chinese health officials, who have apparently confirmed 38 cases resulting in 10 fatalities. According to WHO, which has not yet recommended any trade or travel restrictions, there is no…
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Studies Seek to Pinpoint Animal-Human Transmission of Antibiotic-Resistant Infections
A recent study has reportedly used whole genome sequencing (WGS) to retrospectively trace the transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from animal to human for the first time. Ewan Harrison, et al., “Whole genome sequencing identifies zoonotic transmission of MRSA isolates with the novel mecA homologue mecC,” EMBO Molecular Medicine, April 2013. According to a March 25, 2013,…