Huge numbers of cattle being traded globally has allowed pathogens to evolve to infect humans
Overuse of antibiotics, high animal numbers and low genetic diversity from intensive farming increase the risk of animal pathogens transferring to humans.
An international team of researchers led by the Universities of Bath and Sheffield, investigated the evolution of Campylobacter jejuni, a bacterium carried by cattle which is the leading cause of gastroenteritis in high-income countries.
Campylobacter facts:
- Causes bloody diarrhoea in humans
- Transferred to humans from eating contaminated meat and poultry
- Although not as dangerous as typhoid, cholera or E.coli, it causes serious illness in patients with underlying health issues and can cause lasting damage.
- Around 1 in 7 people suffer from an infection at some point in their life
- Causes three times more cases than E. coli, Salmonella and listeria combined
- Carried in the faeces of chickens, pigs, cattle and wild animals
- Campylobacter is estimated to be present in the faeces of 20% cattle worldwide
- The bug is very resistant to antibiotics due to their use in farming
The researchers, publishing in the prestigious journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, studied the genetic evolution of the pathogen and found that cattle-specific strains of the bacterium emerged at the same time as a dramatic rise in cattle numbers in the 20th Century.
The authors of the study suggest that changes in cattle diet, anatomy and physiology triggered gene transfer between general and cattle-specific strains with significant gene gain and loss. This helped the bacterium to cross the species barrier and infect humans, triggering a major public health problem.
Combine this with the increased movement of animals globally, intensive farming practices have provided the perfect environment in which to spread globally through trade networks.
Professor Sam Sheppard Director of Bioinformatics from the Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath, said: “There are an estimated 1.5 billion cattle on Earth, each producing around 30 kg of manure each day; if roughly 20 per cent of these are carrying Campylobacter, that amounts to a huge potential public health risk.
“Over the past few decades, there have been several viruses and pathogenic bacteria that have switched species from wild animals to humans: HIV started in monkeys; H5N1 came from birds; now Covid-19 is suspected to have come from bats.
“Our work shows that environmental change and increased contact with farm animals has caused bacterial infections to cross over to humans too.
“I think this is a wake-up call to be more responsible about farming methods, so we can reduce the risk of outbreaks of problematic pathogens in the future.”
Professor Dave Kelly from the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the University of Sheffield said: “Human pathogens carried in animals are an increasing threat and our findings highlight how their adaptability can allow them to switch hosts and exploit intensive farming practices.”
The researchers hope that their study can help scientists predict potential problems in the future so they can be prevented before they turn into another epidemic.
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Intensive farming
- Experts push for specialised farming
Livestock experts have called for specialised farming for animals, including goats, sheep, lambs, and cows, aimed at promoting the export of live animals and meat, as the country possesses excellent ...
- Opinion: Organic farming – the key to longer-term food security
In 2022, the global organic farming area increased by more than 20m ha, to a total of 96m ha. These figures reveal a widespread recognition that organic ...
- 11 Best Farmland and Agriculture Stocks To Buy According to Analysts
In this article, we discuss the 11 best farmland and agriculture stocks to buy according to analysts. To skip the detailed analysis of the industry, go directly to the 5 Best Farmland and Agriculture ...
- Precision agriculture: Key to food security
The future of Indian agriculture hinges on a blend of tradition and innovation. Precision agriculture offers a crucial pathway to sustainably feed 1.7 billion people India’s population is projected to ...
- University of Warwick Study: 20th Century Pig Farming Changes Linked to Global Spread of Antibiotic-Resistant Salmonella
Historical changes in pig farming led to the global spread of Salmonella, resistant to antibiotics – a new international study led by researchers at the University of Warwick suggests.Salmonella enter ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Intensive farming
[google_news title=”” keyword=”intensive farming” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Epidemics
- Tunisian Delegation Visits Jordanian Epidemics Center To Foster Collaboration
A delegation from Tunisia's health sector, along with representatives from the regional office of the World He ...
- Indian Ocean Sea Surface Temperature Linked to Dengue Outbreaks Worldwide: New Study
Abnormal trends in sea surface temperatures of the Indian Ocean could help predict trends in global dengue epidemics, including case numbers and how they might change with time, according to new ...
- Indian ocean temperature anomalies predict global dengue trends
Sea surface temperature anomalies in the Indian Ocean predict the magnitude of global dengue epidemics, according to a new study. The findings suggest that the climate indicator could enhance the ...
- Fistula and child marriages: The two epidemics plaguing women in Gilgit-Baltistan
Seema's battle with fistula unveils the tragedy of early marriage, urging society to confront the intertwined dangers of child marriage and women's health crises.
- Improving public health communication in African epidemics: Lessons learned and future directions
Zika and other public health emergencies, effective communication of public health messages is crucial to control the spread of disease, maintain public trust, and encourage compliance with health ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Epidemics
[google_news title=”” keyword=”epidemics” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]