Groundbreaking vaccine co-developed by U of S VIDO approved to protect water and food supply from E.coli O157:H7 contamination
Posted January 12, 2007
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Saskatoon, Sask., Jan. 9, 2007: A groundbreaking vaccine for cattle that will protect water and food supplies from the toxic E. coli O157:H7 bacteria has been approved for release in Canada, thanks to a research program that began at the University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) and the University of British Columbia (UBC).
“This makes Canada the first country in the world to have access to a vaccine for control of E. coli O157:H7,” said VIDO Director Lorne Babiuk.
The vaccine is the first to be released from VIDO’s food safety program, which aims to protect human health through advanced animal health treatments. Studies show the new vaccine greatly reduces the amount of E. coli O157:H7 bacteria shed by cattle into their environment. This in turn lessens the chances of contamination of water supplies, and helps ensure greater safety of food products destined for grocery shelves.
The complete VIDO release is at: http://www.vido.org/news/read.php/124
For more information, call Tess Laidlaw at VIDO: (306) 966-1506.
