For Immediate Release

New CAST Special Publication Evaluates Zoonotic, Bacterial, Viral, and Parasitic Pathogens in Swine Manure

There have been concerns about the potential for pork production facilities to disseminate pathogenic microorganisms into the surrounding environment. The majority of microbes contained in swine manure are not pathogenic to humans (i.e., zoonotic). But the effectiveness of swine manure management systems to prevent environmental contamination with human pathogens is a concern because of several generally accepted environmental pathways by which these zoonotic pathogens may be transported to water resources.

The Board of Directors of the Council of Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) approved entering into a collaborative agreement with the National Pork Board to provide a literature review on the Fate and Transport of Zoonotic Bacterial, Viral, and Parasitic Pathogens during Swine Manure Treatment, Storage, and Land Application. An eminent group of 10 experts was chosen as a writing task force, led by Dr. Dana Cole, Georgia Division of Public Health, Atlanta, and cochaired by Dr. Jan Vinjé, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia. The resulting draft document was subsequently distributed to six highly qualified scientists for review and comment.

Topics covered in the new publication include:

• Overview of Swine Manure Management Systems and Factors Affecting the Survival and Environmental Transport of Microbes
• Bacterial Hazards Associated with Swine Manure
• Common Viruses of Swine
• Fate and Transport of Zoonotic Parasite Pathogens
• Conclusions and Recommendations
• Appendix and Comprehensive Reference Section with more than 400 citations

Special Publication No. 29, Fate and Transport of Zoonotic Bacterial, Viral, and Parasitic Pathogens during Swine Manure Treatment, Storage, and Land Application (66 pp.), is available either as an electronic download or in hardcopy (pay shipping and handling) by visiting the CAST website (https://www.cast-science.org) or by contacting the CAST Office (515-292-2125 or cast@cast-science.org).

For information on a specific CAST publication or to access CAST’s “Publications Catalog” for a complete listing, please visit the CAST website at www.cast-science.org and click on “Publications Info.”