World Congress at Teagasc Tackles E. coli

A major international congress on pathogenic E. coli began yesterday, Thursday 26 April and concludes today, Friday, 27 April at Teagasc, Ashtown Food Research Centre, Dublin. Diarrhoeal diseases claim an estimated five million lives annually and E. coli is a major cause of these diseases. Thirty-five international experts from eighteen countries are discussing issues relating to E. coli at this two-day meeting being held at the new conference facility at Ashtown.

The presentations are focusing on the control and protection of public health. The Pathogenic E. coli Network (PEN) is an EU funded project aimed at integrating research and promoting collaboration between individuals and research centres. In recent years, several very dangerous types of these bacteria have been found in food and water in many countries including Ireland. One particular type, E. coli O157, has caused fatalities in Irish children in the past and the infection rates are currently on the increase.

Teagasc scientists are to the forefront of research on these bacteria, not just in Ireland but worldwide. Ireland was selected to host this international congress which has attracted delegates from around the world including: the US, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Greece, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, Australia, New Zealand, Chile and Israel. This week’s meeting in Ireland is the first of five international congresses that will take place over the next three years in the UK, Sweden, Italy, and Norway and returning to Teagasc Ashtown in 2009.

The PEN project is co-ordinated and managed by Dr Declan Bolton and John O’Sulllivan, Teagasc Ashtown. Further details on the project are available on www.pen-project.eu