Microbial risks
Many microorganisms (bacteria, viruses) and parasites trigger disease. Pathogens of this kind may occur both in foods of plant and of animal origin. Diseases, which can be transmitted from animals to humans, are called "zoonoses". Important pathogens of infectious diseases of this kind are Salmonella, E.coli (faecal germs), mycobacteria, Brucella, Campylobacter, Listeria, toxoplasms, Yesinia, rabies viruses, Coxiella, prions and various parasites like trichinea or Echinococcus
The foundation for the health evaluation of microbial risks from foods is always the respective state of international scientific knowledge. The assessment of the health risk from a pathogen is a dynamic, ongoing process. BfR recommendations are, therefore, adapted to the new findings.
The tasks of BfR include research into zoonosis pathogens, the transmission routes and the distribution of zoonoses (epidemiology). Another task is the development of diagnostic methods that can be used in daily practice.
Furthermore, national reference laboratories for various zoonosis pathogens are attached to BfR.
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