§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the organisms which are known to exist in imported bushmeat; and what the consequences are of infection in humans. [125188]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonLike any raw meat, there is a risk that raw bushmeat may be contaminated with food poisoning micro-organisms, such as E. coli 0157, Campylobacter and Salmonella. Other contaminants of bushmeat: could include parasites, viruses and the bacteria that can cause anthrax, tuberculosis and 631W brucellosis. Although these organisms have the potential to cause human infection, United Kingdom public health bodies involved in the investigation of outbreaks of infectious intestinal disease have not traced any outbreaks of human disease in the UK to the illegal importation of meat. Where local authorities identify bushmeat that has been illegally imported, it must be destroyed.