How can consumers be effectively protected from foodborne E. coli infections?
Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) bacteria can cause potentially severe foodborne infections, mainly in young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. In a new expert appraisal, ANSES classifies the strains of the bacterium responsible for serious forms of infection and makes recommendations for improving the monitoring of contamination risks in products before they are placed on the market. In this context, the Agency is reiterating the importance of continuing to apply good hygiene measures and comply with cooking recommendations; moreover, it notes that susceptible population groups should continue to avoid eating certain foods.
Preventing cases of Ostreopsis poisoning on the Basque coast
Blooms of Ostreopsis microalgae have caused almost 900 cases of poisoning on the Basque coast since 2021. ANSES has recommended a series of measures to protect the populations most at risk, in particular professionals working on or near the beaches.
Antiparasitics containing fipronil are toxic to rabbits
Antiparasitics containing fipronil account for nearly one-third of adverse drug reactions reported in pet rabbits. These products, intended for use in dogs and cats, should not be administered to rabbits.
Do not treat your cat with antiparasitics for dogs
The return of the warm weather coincides with the return of parasites such as ticks, fleas and mosquitoes, all of which can cause serious diseases in animals These parasites can also carry diseases transmissible to humans. Ectoparasiticides (designed to kill parasites that live on the exterior of a host) are a good way to protect pets. However, it is important to ensure that these veterinary medicinal products are used correctly, particularly in the case of permethrin-based antiparasitic products for dogs, which are toxic for cats.
Many discoveries about bacteria of the Brucella genus have been made in recent years: new species have been discovered, others that were already known have been detected in animals not known to carry these bacteria, and species such as Brucella canis are emerging in Western Europe. Could these bacteria be transmitted to humans? Which animal species are concerned? How can these bacteria be distinguished from each other? These questions were the focus of the European IDEMBRU project, coordinated by ANSES as part of the One Health EJP programme.
Improving consumer information on herbal food supplements
Many food supplements contain plants, particularly medicinal plants, which may pose a health risk due to possible interactions with medicines, contraindications, etc. Yet consumers are not necessarily informed of such risks. In order to avoid these adverse effects, ANSES has published an opinion and provided healthcare professionals with a tool to help them better inform their patients about 118 medicinal plants used in food supplements.
A faster and more economical way of investigating the origin of listeriosis
ANSES has developed a PCR test for the rapid and inexpensive identification of Listeria monocytogenes strains causing foodborne infections, in collaboration with food safety laboratories in several other European countries. This test has already been used in some countries to investigate the origin of human cases of listeriosis.
Possible emergence of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in France
Ticks of the genus Hyalomma, which have been observed in the south of France for several years, could potentially spread throughout metropolitan France as a result of climate change. These ticks can transmit Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), among other diseases. No indigenous cases have been detected in humans in France, but cases are recorded every year in Spain. In its scientific expert appraisal, ANSES confirms the risk of emergence and calls for the nationwide surveillance of these ticks.
Encouraging results on vaccination of ducks against avian influenza
Together with the Toulouse National Veterinary School, ANSES is co-publishing the results of two experiments carried out to test vaccines designed to protect ducks from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The two vaccines gave similar results: they greatly limited direct transmission when the animals were in close contact, and also blocked indirect airborne transmission.