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Conference paper2011Peer reviewed

The cost-benefit of salmonella control in Swedish pigs

Hultén, Cecilia; Sternberg Lewerin, Susanna; Wahlström, Helene; Wierup, Martin; Johansson, Jan; Sundström, Kristian

Abstract

Analysis of the costs and benefits of salmonella control pre-harvest in the pork production has been performed on EU level. As optimal measures to begin salmonella control in pig production in a high prevalence situation are not known, estimates of the costs for initiating such a control include large uncertainties. However the costs for running a salmonella control program can be estimated in countries where such programs are in place. In Sweden, the cost of the control is shared by the tax payers and the producers. A thorough analysis of the cost-benefit of the program has been requested by various stakeholders. Pending this, a quick calculation based on previously published and unpublished data was made. These data included the cost of: i) human illness due to salmonella from Swedish pigs, ii) eradication of salmonella from infected pig farms, iii) surveillance in pigs and pig products, iv) preventive measures in the feed sector. The total yearly cost of salmonella control in Swedish pigs was estimated to 1.1-1.2 million Euro (average based on the past 6 years) and the current yearly cost of human salmonellosis due to pigs was estimated to 0.013 million Euro. These costs were compared to expected costs without a salmonella control program under several "what if"-scenarios. For example, if the human sero-prevalence would become equal to that in Denmark and the proportion of cases due to pigs increased to 15% (EU-estimate), the cost of human salmonellosis due to pigs would increase to 2.8 million Euro. Under these assumptions, the saved costs exceed the cost of salmonella control in Swedish pigs. Other levels of sero-prevalence and estimates for the proportion of cases attributable to pigs were also investigated. Under exceptional circumstances, such as the large feed-borne outbreak in 2003, the costs may exceed the benefits.

Published in

Title: Proceedings Book 9th International Conference on the Epidemiology and Control of biological, chemical and physical hazards in pigs and pork
Publisher: Safepork

Conference

Safepork 2011: 9th International Conference on the Epidemiology and Control of biological, chemical and physical hazards in pigs and pork