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UTFSCOE Scientists Use Geographic Information System to Track Deadly Foodborne Pathogens

KNOXVILLE, August 14, 2003 — Geographic Information System (GIS) was used by UT Food Safety Center of Excellence scientists in Dr. Draughon' laboratory to examine relationships between presence of Salmonella, Campylobacter jejuni, and Escherichia coli O157:H7 isolated from animals and presence of these foodborne pathogens in their environment including a river adjacent to a dairy farm. Salmonella was isolated from all sampling sites along the river.

GIS analysis revealed higher frequencies of Salmonella isolated at sites upstream from the dairy farm, indicating that sources other than the dairy farm contributed to river contamination. GIS is a powerful tool for visually representing how farm management practices influence prevalence and persistence of foodborne pathogens. On-farm food safety would benefit considerably from programs that identify animal production and farm management practices that minimize pathogens on the farm. This research was supported by a seed grant from the UT Food Safety Center of Excellence.