Bacteria stolen from biomedical lab

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With all that is going on in the world today, I thought I should post this over here. It appears to me that we should start watching our food supply. Watch for the pigs to get sick, then for it possibly start to make it to the shelf in the store. Hope not, but I wouldn't put it past someone.

This is from freepers, two threads which may/may not be related

www.freerepublic.com/focu...3146/posts

Bacteria Stolen from Biomedical Facility (MSU Lab) WLNS-TV ^

Posted on 09/18/2002 3:09 PM Pacific by RCW2001

9/18/02- Someone stole vials of bacteria from an MSU lab, and authorities don't know what they plan to do with it. The bacteria was being processed into a vaccine to fight Pneumonia in pigs when it was stolen late last week. Someone broke into a secure lab, took several vials of the bacteria, a note pad and a computer disk. And nobody seems to know why.

The bacteria was stolen from the Biomedical and Physical Sciences Building on campus sometime between last Thursday evening and Friday morning. The stolen material is called APP, it usually causes respiratory infection in young pigs. The bacteria could be deadly to swine, but veterinarian's say, not to humans.

Lonnie King, DVM, Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine: "You can't be hurt by direct contact with the bacteria, or by eating meat from an infected animal."

MSU officials have already contacted local swine producers and state and federal authorities.

and

freerepublic.com/focus/news/753710/posts

Bacteriological disease alert (Swine) State of Iowa | 09.18.02 | Dr. John Schiltz

Posted on 09/19/2002 12:24 PM Pacific by struwwelpeter

From: "John Schiltz" John.Schiltz@idals.state.ia.us>

Content-Length: 949

Colleagues-

I have been informed that the infectious agent Actinobacillus (Hemophilus) pleuropneumoniae (APP) may have been acquired by unauthorized individuals from a laboratory in the United States. This particular strain causes encephalitis and rapid mortality in pigs. The bacteria is not known to cause a threat to human health.

Producers and veterinarians should pay specific attention to swine populations and be alert to any unusual symptoms in pigs such as encephalitis, acute pneumonia, and sudden death. Any APP diagnosis that causes unusual clinical conditions, encephalitis, and sudden death must be reported to the State Veterinarian.

The endemic strain of APP causes outbreaks of respiratory disease in grower and finishing pigs. Clinical signs of the endemic strain of APP are dyspnea, fever, reduced appetite, and rapidly occurring death, with an elevated mortality rate. Cough and, in some cases, frothy and blood-stained nasal discharge can also be seen.

APP can be treated with injectable antibiotics. Vaccines are also available for specific serotypes for use as tools in prevention.

Most cases of infection occur by nose-to-nose contact after the introduction of infected carrier pigs. APP can be found in the tonsil, necrotic tissue, and nasal cavity of recovered carriers or sub-clinical cases. Some reports concerning indirect transmission via contaminated clothing and airborne transmission do exist, but the major mode of transmission of APP infection is by the introduction of a carrier pig.

Please notify my office at (515) 281-8615 if you have any consideration that you may be suspecting the new strain of APP.

Thank you for your help and assistance.

John J. Schiltz, D.V.M. State Veterinarian, Iowa

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2002

Answers

Cops, too? Sorry, couldn't resist.

On the news the other night they announced that a local supermarket chain, Winn Dixie I think it was, is going to start offering irradiated meats. Or maybe it was the other one and Winn Dixie already does it.

anyway, some people say that irradiation eliminates some of the necessary things that we need.

What to do...what to do....

-- Anonymous, September 20, 2002


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