In 1999, the FSAI published a report, ‘The Prevention of E. coli O157:H7 Infection - A Shared Responsibility’ to raise awareness in all sectors of the food chain about the threat posed by the then newly emergent pathogen, Escherichia coli O157:H7. It also gave recommendations to each sectoral group along the ‘farm to fork’ chain on how best to control and manage this pathogen. Since the original report was published, E. coli O157:H7 and other related verocytotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC) have continued to evolve as a serious public health issue. During this time period, our knowledge about the risk posed by this group of pathogens in Ireland and how best to control and manage them has also been greatly
enhanced, though some gaps in knowledge remain.
The aim of this second edition of the report is to provide stakeholders along the complete food chain with an overview of current knowledge about VTEC in Ireland together with current thinking on how the risk posed can be best managed.
Many of the control measures identified in this report will also assist in preventing infection with other foodborne pathogens. These measures are included here as they have been identified to be important in the control and prevention of VTEC infections.
enhanced, though some gaps in knowledge remain.
The aim of this second edition of the report is to provide stakeholders along the complete food chain with an overview of current knowledge about VTEC in Ireland together with current thinking on how the risk posed can be best managed.
Many of the control measures identified in this report will also assist in preventing infection with other foodborne pathogens. These measures are included here as they have been identified to be important in the control and prevention of VTEC infections.