An examination of risk factors associated with beef cattle shedding pathogens of potential zoonotic concern

B. R. HOAR; E. R. ATWILL; C. ELMI; T. B. FARVER

doi:10.1017/S0950268801005726

Abstract

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The prevalence of three waterborne zoonotic pathogens (Campylobacter sp., Giardia sp. and Cryptosporidium parvum) in rectal faecal samples from a random sample of adult beef cattle was determined. Management factors that may be associated with shedding of these organisms were examined. For Campylobacter sp. prevalence was 5·0%, and the number of females on the farm was positively associated with the proportion that tested positive. For Giardia sp. prevalence was 6·5%, and none of the management factors examined was significantly associated with the proportion in a herd testing positive. C. parvum was identified in 1·1% of samples. The length of calving season and whether any procedures were performed on the calves in the first 2 days of life were positively associated with the proportion that tested positive. We conclude that this sample of adult beef cattle represent a relatively limited threat to water supplies and subsequent disease transmission to humans from these pathogens.

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An examination of risk factors associated with beef cattle shedding pathogens of potential zoonotic concern

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