E. coli in dairy herds

Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC/VTEC) can cause severe disease in humans and the infection is often transmitted from cattle directly or by contaminated food. In Sweden, severe disease has been associated with the Halland type of E. coli O157:H7.

The aim of this project is to investigate the prevalence and infection dynamics of the Halland type in 250 dairy herds in selected parts of Sweden during 3-4 years. Risk factors for infection and the effect of control measures on herd clearance will be evaluated by epidemiological methods. An outbreak of severe or fatal disease in children associated with an EHEC infected cattle herd may seriously damage consumer confidence in Swedish dairy and meat products.

This project is necessary to obtain knowledge needed to control the infection in cattle herds and avoid transmission to humans.

Financier: The Swedish Farmers' Research Foundation
Co-applicants: Madeleine Tråvén, Anna Aspán
Collaborator: Erik Eriksson, Enheten för Bakteriologi, SVA Ulf Emanuelson, Epidemiologi, KV Växa (f.d. Hallands Husdjur, Svenska Husdjur, Skara semin)