42) The Delegation of Brazil recalled that it had presented a discussion document on this subject at the 10th Session of the Committee, and a Circular Letter was subsequently sent, to which only Brazil replied and provided information. The Delegation recognized the importance of maintaining an updated data base on the cases of outbreaks in the Region but also to integrate risk analysis in the control process. The Delegation also referred to the pandemy of Salmonella enteritidis which affected the region including Brazil.
43) The Delegation of Chile recalled the importance of Salmonella outbreaks the region and indicated that during the period 1990-1995 there had been an increase in outbreaks in Chile, especially with Salmonella enteritidis.
44) The Delegation of Costa Rica informed the Committee that research had been carried out on Salmonella and other emerging pathogens in a wide range of products. This information was already placed on the Inernet. The Delegation expressed its willingness to share this information with Brazil and other countries in the Region and to work with them in the field of emerging pathogens.
45) The Delegation of Barbados informed the Committee that the Ministry of Health and Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture were monitoring emerging pathogens in water and poultry products respectively. Available data were still limited but Barbados was in the process of setting up a pilot project with PAHO for further monitoring of these pathogens.
46) The Delegation of Dominican Republic indicated that a programme on food safety of street-vended foods was currently underway as well as physico-chemical and microbiological studies of bottled water, since the incidence of salmonellosis and parasitosis was still high. It expressed the view that RIILA could establish an inventory of serotypes of pathogenic bacteria, which would allow to monitor cases of outbreaks of Salmonella sp. in the Region. Training in GMP and food handling was essential to reduce the problem of foodborne diseases.
47) The Delegation of Bolivia reported that a component of a FAO project on food microbiology would be developed in January. The Delegation indicated that this would assist Bolivia in providing information on the emerging pathogens by the next Session of the Committee. The Delegation of Uruguay recognized the seriousness of the problem of emerging pathogens in the Region and worldwide and the importance of exchanging information on this matter.
48) The Delegation of the United Stated provided information on two new initiatives being undertaken by the Government about illnesses associated with foods. A food network of public health laboratories was established to monitor cases of food borne diseases with special testing to determine a genetic fingerprint for each pathogen and a computerized national network in order to recognize and identify pathogens, with a view to defining control measures. In addition, a project was currently undertaken to develop risk assessment on pathogens, the first one on Salmonella enteritidis. The Delegation expressed its willingness to share this information with countries in the Region.
49) The Representative of the INPPAZ informed the Committee that there was a regional information system on epidemiological surveillance of foodborne diseases. The Committee was informed that activities concerning Salmonella and other pathogens could be coordinated with INPPAZ as they had organized laboratory training in microbiological analysis, especially with emerging diseases. The Committee agreed with this proposal and asked INPPAZ to prepare a document to be submitted to the next session of CCLAC and to coordinate this work with Brazil.
50) The Delegation of Brazil agreed with this proposal but recalled that it was not intended only to collect data on cases of outbreaks, but to determine at which stage pathogens were found and to apply risk analysis in the control process. The Delegation also recalled that food safety in touristic areas was an interesting subject to work on.
51) The Representative of Consumers International expressed interest to access this kind of information and recognized the need to compile all relevant data on this subject in order to make it generally available in the web site of PAHO and FAO.
