While doing some annotated bibliography work for someone I came across
these which are not relevant to that person's needs but may be useful
for some people here to read and have on file since they provide useful
data:

Food Microbiol. 2008 May;25(3):538-43. Epub 2008 Jan 12.
Campylobacter and Salmonella in raw red meats in the United Kingdom:
prevalence, characterization and antimicrobial resistance pattern,
2003-2005.
Little CL, Richardson JF, Owen RJ, de Pinna E, Threlfall EJ.
Health Protection Agency, Department of Gastrointestinal, Emerging and
Zoonotic Infections, HPA Centre for Infections, 61 Colindale Avenue,
London NW9 5EQ, UK. [log in to unmask]

The prevalence of Campylobacter and Salmonella was assessed in 3959
raw red meats in the UK during 2003-2005. Meats were more frequently
contaminated with Campylobacter (7.2%) than with Salmonella (2.4%).
Lamb and other meats (e.g. mutton, rabbit) exhibited the highest
contamination from Campylobacter (12.6% and 19.8%, respectively),
compared with pork (6.3%) and beef (4.9%). Pork however had the
highest contamination from Salmonella (3.9%), followed by lamb (2.0%),
other meats (2.0%) and beef (1.3%). Offal samples (36.6%) were more
frequently contaminated with Campylobacter or Salmonella than muscle
tissue (7.0%). C. jejuni predominated in all meat types. C. coli
isolates were more likely to exhibit antimicrobial drug resistance,
including quinolones, than C. jejuni. Salmonella typhimurium was the
most frequent Salmonella serotype isolated from meats; S. typhimurium
DT104/104b isolates exhibited higher rates of multiple drug resistance
than other serotypes. The findings reinforce the importance of adequate
cooking of meat and good hygiene to avoid cross-contamination.

PMID: 18355680 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

J Food Prot. 2005 Mar;68(3):469-75.
Prevalence of Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Escherichia coli on the
external packaging of raw meat.
Burgess F, Little CL, Allen G, Williamson K, Mitchelli RT.
Department of Environmental and Enteric Diseases, Health Protection
Agency, Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, London NW9 5EQ, UK.

During September and October 2002, 3,662 prepackaged raw meat samples
were collected to evaluate the extent and nature of microbiological
contamination on external surfaces of the packaging, which could
potentially cross-contaminate ready-to-eat foods during and after
purchase. Salmonella was detected on two (<1%) samples of external
packaging (both from raw chicken), and Campylobacter was detected on
41 (1.1%) samples of external packaging. The external packaging of
game fowl exhibited the highest Campylobacter contamination (3.6%),
followed by raw chicken (3.0%), lamb (1.6%), turkey (0.8%), pork
(0.2%), and beef (0.1%); Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli
accounted for 59% (24 of 41) and 24% (10 of 41) of the contaminating
Campylobacter species, respectively. C. coli isolates from the external
packaging were more multiresistant to antimicrobial drugs, including
quinolones such as ciprofloxacin, than was C. jejuni. Escherichia coli
(an indicator of fecal contamination) was isolated from the external
packaging on 4% of the raw meat samples at levels of 40 to 10(5) CFU
per swab. The external packaging of raw meats is a vehicle for
potential cross-contamination by Campylobacter, Salmonella, and E.
coli in retail premises and consumers' homes. The external surface
of heat-sealed packaging was less frequently contaminated with
Campylobacter and E. coli compared with other types of packaging (e.g.,
overwrapping, bag, and tie tape) (P < 0.0001 to 0.01). In addition,
external packaging of raw meats was contaminated less frequently with
Campylobacter and E. coli when packaging was intact, packaging and
display areas were visually clean, display temperatures were below 8
degrees C, and hazard analysis systems were in place.

PMID: 15771168 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Sukie (not a vet)

Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html

[Posted in FML 5979]