**1. Introduction**

206 Salmonella – A Dangerous Foodborne Pathogen

Wyatt, G.M.; Langley, M.N.; Lee, H.A.; Morgan, M.R. (1993). Further studies on the

Applied and Environmental Microbiology, v.59, n.5, p.1383-1390.

n.4, p.383-392.

restricted bacterin vaccine, in laying chickens*. Avian Patology***,** Huntingdon, v.31,

feasibility of one-day *Salmonella* detection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Foodborne pathogens cause diarrhea and flulike illnesses. An estimated 1.8 million children death is associated with disease-causing organisms acquired via food consumption with the greatest number of cases occurring in developing countries (WHO 2008). In the United States, the burden of foodborne infections causes an estimated of 48 million cases of sick people, from which 128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 die anually (CDC, 2011). In addition, around 31 of the acquired pathogens known cause an approximated of 9.4 million episodes of foodborne illnesses while additional episodes are caused by unspecified agents, known agents not yet recognized as causing foodborne illness, and substances known to be in food but unproven pathogenicity (Scallan *et al.*, 2011). According to Allos *et al*. (2004) and Imhoff *et al*. (2004) the economic burden of foodborne illnesses results in an estimated annual cost of \$6.9 billion USD because of work absenteeism, cost of medication and hospitalization, being the annual diarrheal burden of 0.72 episodes per person.

According to Buzby *et al*. (1996) and WHO (2008) the most common foodborne pathogens associated with outbreaks are bacteria like *Campylobacter jejunii*, *Escherichia coli* O157:H7, *Listeria monocytogenes* and *Salmonella*. Data from the CDC (2011) indicates the prevalence of *Salmonella* serotypes causing foodborne illnesses, which shows an increasing tendency from 2006 to 2011, involving several food as transmission vehicle, such as tomatoe, cantaloupe, egg, alfalfa sprout, peanut butter, pepper, and papaya. Therefore, the control of foodborne pathogens must be considered as one of the most important goals of authorities and producers. When a pathogen related outbreak is detected, the collaboration among Universities, Research Centers and health authorities from countries involved, is an essential step to source track the origin of the causative agent, and to seek for strategies for problem remediation.

The association of food with pathogens is a critical problem that requires special attention of the Mexican producers, since the presence of disease-causing organisms might provoke the close of borders of the destiny country. Therefore, the Mexican agricultural authorities have established mandatory regulations for fresh produce production and processing, which include Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) audit

*Salmonella* Saintpaul Outbreak: Export and Trade Economic Impact 209

Fig. 2. Total horticultural production expressed in tons from 2008 to 2009 in Sinaloa state.

Fig. 3. Global value of horticultural exports from 2008 to 2009 in Sinaloa state expressed in

Million USD. Data from CIDH, 2011.

t

Million USD

Data from Committee for the Research and Defence of Vegetables, CIDH, 2011.

programs that must be implemented in order to avoid the presence of both pesticides and pathogens on the final product (SAGARPA, 2011).
