The following news release has been issued by AgriLabs:
AgriLabs, a longtime advocate of producer, industry and governmental efforts to strengthen U.S. food safety, is proud to announce the availability of America’s first conditionally licensed E. coli O157 vaccine for cattle.
E. coli O157 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause intestinal upset, dehydration, and kidney failure. People with weakened immune systems, children and the elderly are the most susceptible to food-borne illness caused by E. coli.
These bacteria live in the intestinal tract of normal, healthy cattle, but don’t cause disease in these cattle. During processing, the bacteria can find their way into ground beef, and if improperly cooked, a serious outbreak of the disease can occur when the food is eaten.
Recent media attention has focused on governmental and industry efforts to develop science-based strategies to reduce the prevalence of the E. coli O157 in beef and dairy cattle.
“The new E. coli O157 Bacterial Extract from Epitopix is the first O157 vaccine conditionally licensed for sale in the US, and represents a significant breakthrough,” reports Charlie Higdon, AgriLabs business unit manager. “The SRP O157 vaccine is the first and only immunological weapon available to the dairy industry to battle against this significant food safety concern.”
“We are confident that the E. coli O157 SRP vaccine will play an important role for dairy producers and veterinarians as they work together to implement E. coli O157 food safety controls.” Higdon added.
AgriLabs is the sole marketer of Epitopix’ first major vaccine Salmonella Newport Bacterial Extract, utilizing the exclusive SRP® technology. Since its launch in 2004, this groundbreaking vaccine has been used in millions of U.S. dairy cattle to battle Salmonella, a significant health concern for dairy cattle, as well as a human food safety concern.