Recent Feedback
I work in a slaughter house, how contageous is diamond skin, and should the meat be used
Optional Information: Type of Animal: Sow Gender: Female Age: 51
Thank you for your question.Referring to the US Federal regulations regarding Swine Erysipelas (Diamond Skin disease), it is stated that carcasses affected with acute or generalized forms of the disease and show systemic change must be condemned. That said, carcasses of hogs affected with diamond-skin disease when localized and not associated with systemic change may be passed for human food after removal and condemnation of the affected parts, provided that carcass was otherwise healthy.So, use of these carcasses for meat depends on whether the infection is systemic (internal) or not. It is also interesting to note that in a USDA study erysipelas had still been one of the top causes for carcasses to be condemned in the slaughterhouse.
I hope this information is helpful. Please do let me know if you have any further questions. If you have no further questions, feedback is always appreciated.
All the best,
Dr. B.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quick note, as I just appreciated you had also asked about contagiousness.I assume you mean its zoonotic potential to spread to people. In those carcasses that are not condemned, then as long as the meat is well cooked then the risk is minimal. Where people get into trouble is with uncooked/rare meat. As well, if you have direct contact with the pig, it is possible to catch this bacteria which will manifest as a localized skin lesion on people. Therefore, keep all wounds well covered and do wash your hands well after handling an infected pig.EDIT: I have see a quick question that was closed as a duplicate (though it isn't really) but I have to say that IF you see lesions internally then the whole carcass has to be condemned. You can't just remove the affected parts. This is because even if the other bits look non-infected, then infection is interal (systemic) and there will be microscopic changes on the rest of the carcass and would be a risk to human health.All the best, Dr. B.nekovet41078.4187076042
Hi Tammy,I'm just following up on our conversation about your pet. How is everything going?nekovet