58. Describe practical actions and tasks of the official veterinarian linked to the presence of Trichinella parasites. Decision about a meat and organs.

Which regulation lays down rules regarding Trichinella?

Regulation (EC) 1375/2015

What does Regulation (EC) 1375/2015 lay down?

Specific rules on official controls for Trichinella in meat

Which animals' carcasses must be examined for Trichinella according to Regulation (EC) 627/2019?

Carcasses of suids, solipeds, and other species susceptible to Trichinella

What must be done with meat from animals infected with Trichinella?

It shall be declared unfit for human consumption

What is the etiology of Trichinella?

Trichinella are nematodes belonging to the genus Trichinella, such as T.spiralis and T.britovi (zoonotic)

What is the sampling requirement for carcasses of breeding sows and boars in a controlled holding facility?

At least 10% of carcasses sent in for slaughter each year from each holding must be tested for Trichinella (OR all breeding sows and boars)

What is required for carcasses from non-controlled holding facilities or wild animals?

All carcasses must be tested for Trichinella

What method is used for testing Trichinella in accordance with EU legislation?

Digestive magnetic stirrer method

What sample size is taken from domestic swine for Trichinella testing?

1g from a pillar of the diaphragm, or 2g from the rib part, sternum part of the diaphragm, jaw muscle, tongue, or abdominal muscles

How is a positive or doubtful sample further tested in domestic swine?

20g samples from 5 pigs are pooled and examined using the same method

What is the sampling procedure for horses and wild boars?

Horses: 10g from lingual or jaw muscle; Wild boars: 10g from foreleg, tongue, or diaphragm

What happens to sampled carcasses or striated muscle parts before test results are received?

They must not leave the premises until negative results are received

Can organ or animal waste not for human consumption leave the premises before test results?

Yes, it can leave the premises before test results

When is a health mark applied to carcasses?

After test results show negative

What must be done with all positive Trichinella cases?

They must be reported with rapid alert and forwarded to the national or EU reference laboratory for species determination

What training is required for personnel involved in Trichinella examination?

Proper training and participation in a quality program of the tests used to detect Trichinella

What should the contingency plan provided by competent authorities include?

1. Traceability of infested carcasses,

2. measures for dealing with infested carcasses,

3. investigation of the source of infection,

4. measures at the retail or consumer level,

5. measures if infested carcasses cannot be identified, and

6. determination of the species involved

What may the competent authority implement to verify Trichinella absence in controlled housing conditions?

A monitoring program covering the population of domestic swine

What should the monitoring program include?

The frequency of testing, the number of animals to be tested, and the sampling plan, potentially including serological methods

What is done if Trichinella is detected in a pooled sample from 5 pigs?

Further 20g samples are collected from the individual pigs and examined separately