Presented October 25, 2017.
In regular contact with abattoir workers during inspections, USDA APHIS Georgia employees noticed very few employees using proper PPE, and observed risky slaughter and processing practices at both small and large abattoirs. In general, employees seemed to have little to no knowledge of zoonotic disease risk, especially those who process feral swine or transitional swine (both prevalent in GA). Cleaning and disinfection practices were observed to be inconsistent across plants. The project’s goal was to establish a training protocol wherein abattoir workers are educated on the health risks associated with their everyday jobs. Focusing on biosecurity and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), training emphasizes the risks associated with the slaughter of livestock and wildlife species by highlighting the zoonotic diseases for which abattoir workers are at high risk of exposure.
Presenter
Joanna Davis, D.V.M., Emergency Coordinator for USDA APHIS Veterinary Services for Georgia and Florida
Graduate Certificate in Veterinary Homeland Security, Purdue University
Adjunct faculty in the Department of Infectious Diseases with the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine