Transcript Food Born Pathogens

Food Born Pathogens
Corrin Breeding
Plant and Soil Science
Computers in Agriculture
Topic Slide
What is a Pathogen?
What are Food Borne Pathogens?
Examples
Causes
Fighting Back!!!
Symptoms and What to Do
Statistics
What is a Pathogen?
 Pathogens are infectious, biological agents that
cause disease or illness to its host.
 The term pathogen originated from a Greek
word which means “that which produces
suffering”.
What are Food Borne Pathogens?
 Food borne
pathogens are
infectious agent that
causes disease or
illness to it’s hosts
when contaminated
food is consumed.
 Another word
frequently used is
“food poisoning.”
Examples
 Bacillus cereus – soil dwelling, rod shaped
bacteria
Examples
 Escherichia coli (E. coli)- bacteria found in
intestines of animals and also around water
bodies.
Examples
 Salmonella- bacteria found in different types of
environments.
Causes
 Food contamination usually occurs when poor hygiene is
practiced during the handling of food (raw foods in
particular).
 Food infection is the result of food coming in contact with
pathogenic bacteria, viruses, prions or parasites.
Causes
 Examples of mishandled food:
Not properly cleaning eating utensils (knives, nondisposable plates, chopping boards, etc.) before and
after use.
Not washing hands after blowing your nose, playing with
the dog, using the bathroom, etc.
Not properly cleaning kitchen after preparing meals
(dripping poultry or meat may lead to pathogens growing
on counter tops between 14-17 days!)
Not properly cooking or storing raw meats.
Fighting Back!!!
 Wash hands before
and after eating
 Clean all eating
utensils before and
after eating
 Properly cook and
store all foods
 Properly clean the
kitchen after all meals
Symptoms and What to Do
Symptoms can take several hours or
several days to appear after ingestions
depending on what agent is involved
Nausea
Abdominal pain
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Fever
Headache
Fatigue
Symptoms and What to Do
Most of these symptoms can be taken
care of without the intervention of a
medical assistant. If you know for a fact
that they are caused by food borne
pathogens, it is best to seek out a doctor
so they can properly identify and treat the
one that infects you!
Statistics
 During the year 2000, 2.1 million people died
from diarrhoeal diseases and many were linked
to contaminated food and water supplies!
 In industrialized countries 30% of the population
report having a food borne pathogen each year!
 In the U.S, around 76 million cases of food
borne diseases, which resulted in 325,000
hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths, are estimated
to occur each year!
REMEMBER!!!
Food borne pathogens are infectious
agents that contaminate food.
 They occur when poor handling of food is
practiced.
When symptoms show, and you know you
have a virus that originated from
contaminated food, it is best to call a
doctor.
WASH YOUR HANDS!!!
Any Questions???