This ICARS- supported study provides evidence on the prevalence of E. coli and Salmonella in Colombian pig production, using a One Health approach to better understand transmission across animal, environmental, and production systems.
Data were collected from nine farms and two slaughterhouses across Colombia’s main pork-producing regions, including samples from pigs, water, feed, organic material, and carcasses. The findings show that zoonotic pathogens are present throughout the production chain, with Salmonella spp. and E. coli O157 detected across multiple sample types.
The study identifies water as a critical potential source of contamination, with notable levels of bacterial presence across production stages. While pathogens were not detected in farm workers, the results highlight ongoing zoonotic risks linked to environmental transmission pathways.
These findings reinforce the importance of strengthening biosecurity and farm management practices, particularly in relation to water treatment and organic waste management. By applying a One Health perspective, the study contributes to the evidence base needed to inform context-specific interventions that reduce risks to animal, human, and environmental health.
