SUGGESSTED MODEL FOR MONITORING AND CONTROL OF FOODBORNE PATHOGENS IN WILD BOAR'S MEAT

Abstract

Wild animal meat harvesting and processing is signifi cantly different from classical livestock meat production and represents a challenge by itself.
Implementation of concept “from forest to fork” encompasses influence of hunting ground ecology, type of hunting, fi eld evisceration of hunted game, meat inspection aft er shooting or transport etc. The objective of this paper was to propose a model for monitoring and control of food born pathogens in wild boar´s meat. Hazard analysis emphasized the importance of several pathogens: Mycobacterium spp., Salmonella spp., Trichinella spp., and a fi ve-step control program were proposed. The program includes management of microbial contamination of wild boar meat, control measures for live animals, control measures during hunting and aft er shooting, guidelines for offi cial meat inspection with specific details for control of identifi ed hazardous pathogens and control measures for wild boar carcasses processing. Th e research on presence of food born pathogens in wild boar meat is still scarce, while the Trichinella spp. live cycle is well described and there are relevant data about epidemiology and natural reservoirs of the parasite in this part of Europe, little is known about tuberculosis and salmonellosis prevalence in wild boar population. Thus, implementation of control program, with strictly defi ned control measures cannot be overemphasized, and should include veterinary offi cials as well as hunters and others involved in game meat chain.