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The Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses (LFZ)
The Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses (LFZ) located in Guelph, Ontario, provides policy makers and other stakeholders with scientific information and advice on minimising the risks of human illnesses arising from the interface between humans, animals and the environment, with special emphasis on infections due to enteric pathogens [intestinal disease causing agents] . Satellite units in Lethbridge, Alberta and St-Hyacinthe, Québec, provide opportunities for collaborative projects with universities, (federal and provincial) government agencies, public health, and industry partners in delivery of the programme objectives. The Reference Laboratories of LFZ are accredited by Standards Council of Canada to ISO/IEC 17025 (Accredited Laboratory # 265). The Salmonella Typing Laboratory is designated as an Office Internationale des Epizooties (OIE) Reference Laboratory for Salmonellosis. The Laboratory Centre consists of the following programs:
Integrated Enteric Pathogen SurveillanceThe Integrated Enteric Pathogen Surveillance Section facilitates decisions made by policy makers, regulators, public health departments, industry and the scientific community relative to the health risks associated with zoonotic microorganisms. This is done by gathering appropriate surveillance data and providing relevant information on human enteric pathogens from non-human sources, for integration and analysis with human enteric disease data. This section provides input to the National Surveillance Program for Foodborne, Waterborne, and Enteric Disease through reference laboratory activities for Salmonella (OIÉ Reference Laboratory for Salmonella serotyping of non-human isolates in North America) and E. coli (VTEC) serotyping and molecular typing (linked to PulseNet North). It is also involved in promoting opportunities for the integration of animal health, food safety and environmental data with human enteric disease data, by facilitating data sharing agreements with other federal, provincial and local organizations. In addition, the unit supports the National Health Surveillance Info-structure (NHSI) initiative of Health Canada in its development of software tools for the management and exchange of surveillance data. Population and Agro-Environmental Risk Factor Determinants (St-Hyacinthe)The Population and Agro-Environmental Risk Factor Determinants Section conducts population-based research addressing the risk factors associated with food animal production, the environment, and host-pathogen interactions that influence the the emergence, maintenance and transmission of pathogens from animals to humans, in order to enhance confidence in decision making on the human health risks. associated with zoonotic microorganisms. Host and Pathogen DeterminantsThe Host and Pathogen Determinants Section provides public health policy makers and the scientific community with new information on how pathogens emerge and persist in animals and the environment and cause disease in humans, in order to enhance confidence in decision making on the health risks associated with zoonotic microorganisms.With expertise in microbiology, immunology, epidemiology and veterinary medicine, and units located at Guelph, Lethbridge and St-Hyacinthe, the research staff at the Laboratory Foodborne Zoonoses are well-positioned to conduct and integrate research activities across the food chain continuum, including the pre-harvest, harvest and post-harvest sectors of production of foods of animal origin in collaboration with government agencies (federal & provincial), university, public health and industry partners. Antimicrobial Resistance
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Last Updated: 2002-10-01 |