MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews / 25 April) – A study by biologists at the University of the Philippines Diliman’s College of Science emphasizes the need for enhanced surveillance of foodborne pathogens like Salmonella in poultry products, which can cause infections with symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms typically appear six to 72 hours after ingestion and can last two to seven days. Multi-drug resistant (MDR) Salmonella is a major global public health issue, contributing significantly to diarrheal diseases and outbreaks worldwide, including in the Philippines. The study highlights the importance of monitoring these threats and exploring the genome of MDR Salmonella to identify common types, assess their virulence, and uncover antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) that endanger food safety and public health. Research on Salmonella from chicken meat sold in Metro Manila wet markets identified five types—Infantis, Brancaster, Anatum, London, Uganda, and Derby—all carrying virulence and resistance genes that confer resistance to 12 drug classes. The study underscores the need for proper surveillance of contaminating bacteria and regulations on antimicrobial use at the farm level, as MDR Salmonella infections can lead to severe, untreatable illnesses. The biologists warned of the significant risk of MDR Salmonella spreading within wet markets, food animal value chains, and households, calling for multi-sectoral policies, increased awareness of antimicrobial resistance, and support for research and development of alternatives. (MindaNews)
