February 23, 2010

Denmark gov't funds salmonella tracing project

The Danish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries (MFAF) has just given DKK7 million to a research project that will aid scientists and the authorities to find the sources of salmonella infections following an outbreak of food poisoning.

Thousands of people were infected in a widespread outbreak of salmonella U292 in 2008, according to MFAF. Despite a comprehensive and thorough investigation by the Danish authorities, the source of the infection was never found.

Food Minister, Eva Kjer Hansen, has given DKK7 million to a new research project so scientists at the Technical University of Denmark in collaboration with the State Serum Institute can find better ways of tracing the sources of future salmonella infections.

The objective of the research is to use genetically-based methods to differentiate between salmonella types from different sources. If successful, the research will set a new standard for international work in tracing salmonella sources and that they will also be used for tracing campylobacter sources. The project is expected to end in 2012.