Clampdown on MRSA on farms
It is part of Norway’s clampdown on spread of the methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus bug.
The superbug has also been found in a piglet in Northern Ireland — the first case of its kind in the UK.
The North’s Department of Agriculture said: “DARD is aware that the first case of livestock associated MRSA in the north was identified several weeks ago in a 6-8 week old piglet. This case poses no risk to the general public and is different from the MRSA strain that can be found in healthcare.
“LA-MRSA presents a low occupational risk for those working in close contact with infected livestock and is not a notifiable disease.
“Meat from LA-MRSA affected animals is perfectly safe to eat provided good hygiene and thorough cooking practices are observed.
“DARD is providing advice and assistance to those on the farm in question.’
MRSA has become widespread in intensively farmed pigs, poultry and veal calves in many European countries and North America.
There are no known cases of people contracting MRSA from eating meat.
In Norway, Steinar Westin, a professor in social medicine at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, recently called for a ban on importing Danish pork, because he feared people would be infected with the antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
But the Danish food authority Fødevarestyrelsen responded that there is no link between eating pork, and being infected with MRSA.
Nevertheless, Norway’s biggest grocery group, NorgesGruppen, said it may remove Danish pork from supermarket shelves.
Management at the supermarket chain intend to find out if there is reason to import pork from another country, where antibiotics are not as widely used.
It is expected to make a final decision on Danish pork sometime in the coming months.
