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Abstract: Milk sold as pasteurized has historically been implicated in the UK and worldwide as a vehicle for outbreaks of food-borne gastrointestinal disease, with a number of causative pathogenic organisms. One such organism is Verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli, or E. coli, O157 (VTEC O157). We present a quantitative assessment of likely exposure to VTEC O157 via milk sold as pasteurized in the UK. Particular interest in our assessment concerns whether there is any differential risk between milk which is processed in on- and off-farm dairies. We model the milk production chain from the farm through to the point of retail and make a comparison between these two production environments. Our model is an example of the Modular Process Risk Modelling (MPRM) approach and represents uncertainty and variability in input parameters using probability distributions. We conclude that milk processed on farm poses the comparatively greater risk, although that risk is still small. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Despite a recent resurgence in the incidence of bovine tuberculosis in UK cattle herds, no associated rise in the number of cases in man has been noted. Disease due to human Mycobacterium bovis infection usually occurs in older patients, in whom drinking unpasteurised milk in the past is the probable source of infection. Person-to-person transmission is very rare. Methods: After identification of two epidemiologically-linked cases of human M bovis infection through routine laboratory and surveillance activities, all patients identified with M bovis infection in the Midlands from 2001-05 (n=20) were assessed by DNA fingerprinting (MIRU-VNTR and spoligotyping), with additional interviews for patients with a clustered strain. Findings: A cluster of six cases was identified. All clustered cases were young and UK-born; five patients had pulmonary disease, and one patient died due to M bovis meningitis, with four patients possessing factors predisposing to tuberculosis. All patients had common social links through visits to bars in two different areas. With the exception of the first case, there was an absence of zoonotic links or consumption of unpasteurised dairy products, suggesting that person-to-person transmission had occurred. Interpretation: This report of several instances of M bovis transmission between people in a modern urban setting emphasises the need to maintain control measures for human and bovine tuberculosis. Transmission and subsequent disease was probably due to a combination of host and environmental factors. Prospective surveillance and DNA fingerprinting identified the cluster, enabling health protection teams to set up control measures and prevent further transmission.

Investigates the outbreak of campylobacter jejuni enteritis in Great Britain. Consumption of unpasteurized or incompletely pasteurized milk; Elimination of organism through pasteurization; Instances of geographic distribution.

The article focuses on the issue of compulsory pasteurisation of milk in Great Britain. It says that mandatory pasteurisation in Scotland was introduced in August 1983 that led to a decline in milk borne infections while there was no change in legislation in England and Wales, which only covers pasteurisation of cows' milk. The author says that to further reduce the risks of these infections, farm water supplies must be better controlled and pasteurisation plants must be well maintained.

Features Richard Seligman, the person behind the Seligman Award given by the Society of Chemical Industry in Great Britain. Factors which led to the founding of Aluminum Plant & Vessel Co. Ltd. by Seligman; Background on his invention of the plate heat exchanger used in milk pasteurization; Career background.

Reports the decline of the number of patients affected with Brucella abortus in Great Britain. Difference between B. abortus and B. melitensis; Ratio of men to women infected with brucellosis; Importance of effective milk pasteurization on disease prevention.