-Dr. Gary Weber presents information about cattle vaccine to reduce shedding of E. coli O157-
BELLEVILLE, ON, Nov. 15 /PRNewswire/ - Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. (TSX: BNC), a research-based, technology-driven Canadian biopharmaceutical company, today announced that its President of Bioniche Food Safety in the U.S. presented an invited paper to the U.S. Animal Health Association (USAHA)'s Food and Feed Safety Committee meeting this weekend. Dr. Gary Weber's presentation, "Opportunities to Reduce the Risk of Shedding E. coli O157 by Cattle: Implications for Beef Safety, the Environment and Public Health", was part of a day-long session entitled, "E. coli O157:H7 Update: Research, Interventions and Epidemiology".
Dr. Weber's presentation focused on the incidence of E. coli O157:H7 in cattle (the primary reservoir) and its resulting impact on human health, pointing out the distinct seasonal profile and relationship between shedding of E. coli O157:H7 by cattle, beef contamination, and human illness associated with various food sources and human contact with livestock.
Dr. Weber pointed out that, historically, the peak shedding period for E. coli O157:H7 in cattle in the United States is June, with the corresponding peak of the pathogen in ground beef and human illness in July. In addition, 74% of produce outbreaks associated with E. coli O157:H7 between 1991 and 2002 occurred between July and October. Further E. coli O157:H7 human illness outbreaks have been associated with contact with animals at fairs, exhibitions and petting zoos, many of which are seasonal events.
Dr. Weber summarized that a reduction in the peak shedding period for E. coli O157:H7 by cattle, as observed from April through September in the U.S., to that observed from October through March, would correspondingly reduce the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in beef and reduce associated human illness. Evidence suggests that post-harvest (in-plant) interventions are currently capable of controlling the risk posed by E. coli O157:H7 contamination of beef from October through March. However, these intervention systems appear to be overloaded as a result of the seasonal increase in shedding from April through September. Research indicates vaccination of cattle would reduce this seasonal burden. In addition, if there was widespread adoption of vaccination, it is reasonable to expect the reduction in shedding of E. coli O15:H7 by cattle would correspond to a reduction in human illness associated with produce, water and contact with livestock, particularly cattle, as well as other species.
Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. has developed and licensed (in Canada) the world's first vaccine to reduce the shedding by cattle of E. coli O157. Econiche™ received full licensing approval from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in October, 2008 and is available for unrestricted use by Canadian cattle producers and their veterinarians. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) cleared the path for a conditional license for the vaccine in February, 2008, and the Company is awaiting issuance of that license.
Econiche™ is a Canadian discovery developed by Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. The vaccine has the potential to significantly reduce the amount of E. coli O157 shed into the environment by beef and dairy cattle. This organism does not cause illness in cattle, however, cattle are the primary reservoir for it. Most strains of E. coli are harmless but some, like O157, can cause severe illness and even be fatal when ingested by humans from contaminated meat, vegetables or water. Vaccination of cattle with Econiche can help reduce the risk of food and waterborne contamination with E. coli O157.
Econiche is manufactured in the Bioniche production facility in Belleville, Ontario, where a $25-million expansion is taking place, supported by the Ontario and Canadian governments. The expansion is expected to be completed by the end of March, 2011.