ESCHERICHIA-COLI O157-H7 IN LIVESTOCK IN JAPAN

The largest ever outbreak in Japan of Escherichia coli O157 infection in humans occurred in 1996. As a result, surveys were conducted later the same year to evaluate the sources and pathogenesis of this bacillu s in livestock animals at the farm and in abattoirs. One of the survey s resulted in the isolation of E. coli O157 in 0.62% of cattle on rand omly selected farms. Although no confirmation has been made with regar d to the source of E. cell O157 infection and its pathogenicity in liv estock animals, preventive measures are being applied at both farm and processing levels.