11% Dutch pork is contaminated with MRSA bacteria

Link: Pig Progress | Pig News | 11% pork is contaminated with MRSA bacteria.

A recent study carried out by the risk department of the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (VWA) revealed that 11% of meat products in the retail sector is contaminated with the hospital bacteria ‘MRSA’. In 84% of the cases, the nt-MRSA (non-typable MRSA), which affects pigs, calves and livestock farmers is present. MRSA is the name given to a group of bacteria that belong to the Staphylococcus aureus (SA) family of bacteria. The people who are most at risk of becoming either colonised or infected with MRSA are those in close contact with people who may be carrying the bacteria, for example in hospital wards that care for ill people. Nt-MRSA is a clone of MRSA. According to the Authority, meat does not contribute to the spread of the bacteria, which is resistant to most antibiotics. However, nt-MRSA can be spread where livestock is kept.