INFECTIONS IN MILK

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29798, 14 April 1962, Page 10

INFECTIONS IN MILK

Resistance To Penicillin < N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON. April 13. Penicillin-resistant germs which might easily be a reservoir of infection for humans were emerging in the veterinary field, the Plunket Society’s medical director (Dr. N. Begg) said . today. Penicillin was freely available to farmers for the treatment of bovine mastitis, but bovine mastitis was still occurring just as regularly as it ever did, he said. Traces of penicillin were in practically all bulk milk supplies, and cheese manufacturers had great difficulty in getting their ’’starter” to work. In addition, there were persons who had become sensitive to penicillin, so that it could not be administered when they might require it. Common sense suggested that penicillin in milk supplies was one of the causes of this sensitivity. As a result both the United States and the World Health Organisation felt that penicillin in milk was a health hazard. A suitable alternative for treatment of bovine mastitis was needed, so that penicillin could be withdrawn completely from that field. Dr. Begg said the economic facts, as well as preventive medicine, ensured that such action should be taken even if it was not as quick as one would wish.