Pig World
  • News
      • Animal Health
      • Breeding
      • Business
      • Environment
      • EU
      • Food Safety
      • Housing
      • Marketing
      • NPA
      • National Pig Awards
      • New Products
      • Nutrition
      • People
      • Pig Fair
      • Politics
      • Training & Education
      • Welfare
  • Features
    • Animal Health
    • Breeding
    • Environment
    • Farm Visits
    • Herd Recording
    • Housing
    • Marketing
    • Nutrition
    • Products
    • Training
  • Comment
    • AHDB Pork
    • Chris Fogden
    • Dennis Bridgeford
    • Peter Crichton
    • Red Robin
    • Veterinary View
    • Zoe Davies, NPA
  • Numbers
  • Pig Prices
  • Magazines
    • October 2025
    • September 2025
    • August 2025
    • 2025 Maximising Pig Health supplement
    • July 2025
    • June 2025
    • 2025 Innovation supplement
    • May 2025
    • April 2025
    • March 2025
    • 2025 Buildings supplement
    • February 2025
    • 2025 Nutrition Supplement
    • January 2025
    • December 2024
    • November 2024
    • 2025 National Pig Awards supplement
    • October 2024
    • September 2024
    • August 2024
    • 2024 Pig Health supplement
    • July 2024
    • June 2024
    • 2024 Innovation supplement
    • 2024 Pig & Poultry Fair Guide
    • May 2024
    • April 2024
    • 2024 Buildings Supplement
    • March 2024
    • 2024 Pig Nutrition supplement
    • February 2024
    • January 2024
    • December 2023
    • November 2023
    • 2023 National Pig Awards supplement
    • October 2023
    • September 2023
    • Health Supplement
  • Suppliers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Manage Jobs
  • Classified
  • Events
    • Pigs Tomorrow
    • National Pig Awards
Subscribe
Pig WorldPig World
  • News
      • Animal Health
      • Breeding
      • Business
      • Environment
      • EU
      • Food Safety
      • Housing
      • Marketing
      • NPA
      • National Pig Awards
      • New Products
      • Nutrition
      • People
      • Pig Fair
      • Politics
      • Training & Education
      • Welfare
  • Features
    • Animal Health
    • Breeding
    • Environment
    • Farm Visits
    • Herd Recording
    • Housing
    • Marketing
    • Nutrition
    • Products
    • Training
  • Comment
    • AHDB Pork
    • Chris Fogden
    • Dennis Bridgeford
    • Peter Crichton
    • Red Robin
    • Veterinary View
    • Zoe Davies, NPA
  • Numbers
  • Pig Prices
  • Magazines
    1. October 2025
    2. September 2025
    3. August 2025
    4. 2025 Maximising Pig Health supplement
    5. July 2025
    6. June 2025
    7. 2025 Innovation supplement
    8. May 2025
    9. April 2025
    10. March 2025
    11. 2025 Buildings supplement
    12. February 2025
    13. 2025 Nutrition Supplement
    14. January 2025
    15. December 2024
    16. November 2024
    17. 2025 National Pig Awards supplement
    18. October 2024
    19. September 2024
    20. August 2024
    21. 2024 Pig Health supplement
    22. July 2024
    23. June 2024
    24. 2024 Innovation supplement
    25. 2024 Pig & Poultry Fair Guide
    26. May 2024
    27. April 2024
    28. 2024 Buildings Supplement
    29. March 2024
    30. 2024 Pig Nutrition supplement
    31. February 2024
    32. January 2024
    33. December 2023
    34. November 2023
    35. 2023 National Pig Awards supplement
    36. October 2023
    37. September 2023
    38. Health Supplement
    Featured

    October 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    October 2, 2025
    Recent

    October 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    October 2, 2025

    September 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    September 1, 2025

    August 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    August 1, 2025
  • Suppliers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Manage Jobs
  • Classified
  • Events
    • Pigs Tomorrow
    • National Pig Awards
LinkedIn X (Twitter)
Pig World
Animal Health

Rampant LA-MRSA poses an increased threat for Britain

Guest WritersBy Guest WritersJuly 8, 20153 Mins Read
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

Following tests that found livestock-associated Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) in pork of Danish and Irish origin, and possibly even British as well, in UK supermarkets, Digby Scott takes a look at this high-profile bacteria.

Cases of LA-MRSA have exploded on Danish pig farms, and the disease is now prevalent on the majority of units. Only 3.5% of Danish pig herds had MRSA in 2009, but a survey carried out by the Danes last year found more than 60% of herds were now positive (63% of breeding herds and 68% of finisher herds).

If Britain drops its guard when importing live pigs, the disease could become a commonplace occupational hazard for pig unit staff in this country. Until last year the United Kingdom was deemed free from the disease, but then imported pigs caused an outbreak in Northern Ireland. This was then followed by an unexplained outbreak in two piglets in East Anglia at the beginning of this year.

In Denmark, cases of LA-MRSA in humans have increased from 14 in 2007 to 643 in 2013, and those showing not only colonisation of the nose, but infections increased from six in 2007 to 156 in 2013. Of the human cases, the overwhelming majority (87 percent) were people working closely with pigs — farmers and farm staff, and their families.

If LA-MRSA does spread widely into Britain, like it has in Denmark, The Netherlands, Spain and other countries where there’s a high prevalence, the Soil Association is likely to accuse farmers of over-using antibiotics that select for the MRSA bacteria.

What it means for pigs
Most pigs (and cattle, goats, sheep and turkeys) show no clinical signs when infected by LA-MRSA, and swabbing is necessary to determine if the bacteria is present.

LA-MRSA can persist in dust in animal housing for several months, so a full depopulation may be necessary to get rid of it. This is what happens in Norway, but such a measure would be impractical in a major pig-producing country such as Denmark.

The most recent survey for LA-MRSA in Britain was seven years ago, when no cases were found, but the Animal and Plant Health Agency acknowledges it could now be “more prevalent” in British livestock.

What it means for farm staff
People in close contact with affected livestock can be colonised by LA-MRSA, and it may then spread to those they are in close and regular contact with. If exposure to infected livestock is short-term, however, in most cases human colonisation will disappear after 24 hours away from the animals.

Most people who are colonised will have no disease and no symptoms, but it can cause opportunistic infections such as boils and abscesses, particularly in immunocompromised people.

Bearing in mind that LA-MRSA may now be present to some degree on British livestock farms, it’s sensible for pig unit staff to step up personal biosecurity measures.

These include:

  •     cover any open wounds and cuts;
  •     wash hands thoroughly after handling animals;
  •     if undergoing medical treatment, including surgery, tell your doctor of your occupational exposure to livestock.

What it means for consumers
The risk of a human catching LA-MRSA from meat is very low if good food hygiene is observed and the meat is properly cooked.

The NPA’s position statement on LA-MRSA is available for download at: www.npa-uk.org.uk.

Share. LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Email
Previous ArticleThe importance of calcidiol in pig nutrition
Next Article Using the pig vet – the future
Guest Writers

Read Similar Stories

Duncan Berkshire appointed as new chair of Pig Health and Welfare Council

October 2, 2025

AHDB relaunches Muck Free Truck campaign to reduce disease risk

September 30, 2025

Workshop puts spotlight on prevalence and impact of Strep Suis

September 23, 2025
Latest News

NPA urges Treasury to prioritise national biosecurity ahead of Autumn Budget

October 21, 2025

September UK pig slaughterings return to year-on-year growth

October 21, 2025

Meat industry rejects calls to ban CO2 in abattoirs

October 20, 2025
Sponsored Content

Serious about pig welfare? So are we

October 16, 2025

All Vaccines Are Not Equal

September 15, 2025
Current Pig Industry jobs
  • Pig Stockperson – Ref 1789 North Yorkshire

    • North Yorkshire
    • Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
    • Full Time
  • Pig Unit Manager – Ref 1788 Northern Ireland

    • County Londonderry, Northern Ireland
    • Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
    • Full Time
  • Pig Stockperson – Ref 1787 North Yorkshire

    • North Yorkshire
    • Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
    • Full Time
GETTING IN TOUCH
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Meet The Editors
  • About Us
  • Email Newsletters
  • Subscribe
  • Reuse permissions
OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
PARTNER EVENTS
RELATED SITES
  • Farmers Weekly
  • Agronomist & Arable Farmer
  • Farm Contractor
  • National Pig Awards
  • Pigs Tomorrow
  • Poultry News
  • Weekly Tribune
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
© 2024 MA Agriculture Ltd, a Mark Allen Group company

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.