date:Sep 17, 2013
Vaccinating cows against the O157 strain of E. coli bacteria might reduce by nearly 85 percent human cases of the disease, British researchers said Monday.
The bacteria, which cause severe gastrointestinal illness and even death in humans, are spread by consuming contaminated food and water, or by contact with livestock faeces in the environment.
In addition to devastating personal losses, the economic costs can be substantial. In the United States, the costs of healthcare, social care, and lo