Tuesday, September 26, 2006
E. coli O157:H7, which has been linked to the current spinach outbreak,
is not just found in cattle fed on a diet of strictly grains, according
to a veterinarian at Kansas State University.
"Cattle fed on grass, hay and other fibrous forage can have E. coli
O157:H7 in their feces as can other animals including deer, sheep,
goats, bison, opossum, raccoons, birds and many others," said Dr. David
Renter, assistant professor of veterinary epidemiology.
"While many media outlets have recently stated E. coli O157:H7 can be
avoided by feeding cattle grass only, this is not the case," Renter
said.
"Cattle diet can affect levels of E. coli O157:H7, but this is a complex
issue that has been and continues to be studied."
To suggest switching cattle from grain to forage based on a small piece
of the scientific evidence is inappropriate and irresponsible, Renter
said.
"Several pieces of evidence suggest that such a change would not
eliminate and may even increase E. coli O157:H7 in cattle," he added.
"Simplistically attacking one facet of livestock production may be
politically expedient, but instead provides a false sense of security
and ignores the biological realities of E. coli O157:H7," Renter said.
"The current spinach outbreak may be traced back to cattle manure, but
there are many other potential sources."