Browsing by Subject "salmonella"
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Item Evaluating News Bias in Agriculture: The Salmonella Outbreak of 2008(2012-02-14) Schroeder, Charlsie LaurenAlthough the United States is considered to have one of the safest food supplies in the world, consumers have become increasingly alarmed with the subject of food safety as each crisis-related outbreak is scrutinized. With the onset of an agricultural-related food crisis, the media plays a vital role in publicizing both facts and opinions. Because of the relationship between agricultural risk communication and the media, it is essential to study the level of bias in the news reporting of these agricultural risk-associated events. The purpose of this study was to analyze the coverage and level of bias of the Salmonella outbreak associated with tomatoes in associated press (AP) newswires during a six-month period in 2008 through a descriptive content analysis. A comprehensive search yielded 57 usable articles written during a six-month period surrounding the outbreak; these articles were analyzed using the Hayakawa-Lowry News Bias categories. A total of 1,444 sentences were coded into nine categories: (a) report attributed, (b) report unattributed, (c) inference labeled, (d) inference unlabeled, (e) judgment attributed favorable, (f) judgment attributed unfavorable, (g) judgment unattributed favorable, (h) judgment unattributed favorable, and (i) other. Data indicated a significantly higher number of report sentences as compared to judgment sentences. Report sentences are considered both verifiable and factual. Thus, data indicated a low level of bias. Additionally, although journalists were objectively reporting information regarding the Salmonella outbreak, per capita tomato consumption for 2008 decreased. In the wake of a crisis, objective reporting is crucial. Journalists have an obligation to report information that is objective, factual, and verifiable. Understanding how the media tells agriculture?s story can help bridge the gap between the industry and those reporting the issues.Item Prevalence and spatial distribution of antibodies to Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium O antigens in bulk milk from Texas dairy herds.(Texas A&M University, 2004-09-30) Graham, Sherry LynnThe purpose of this study was to describe the herd antibody status to Salmonella Typhimurium as estimated from co-mingled milk samples and to describe the resulting geographical patterns found in Texas dairy herds. Bulk tank milk samples were collected from 852 Grade A dairies throughout Texas during the summer of 2001. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using S. Typhimurium lipopolysaccharide was performed with signal to noise ratios calculated for each sample. The ELISA ratio was used in fitting a theoretical variogram and kriging was used to develop a predicted surface for these ratios in Texas. A spatial process with areas of higher risk located in the panhandle and near Waller County was apparent. Lower risk areas included Atascosa, Cooke, Collin, Titus, Comanche and Cherokee Counties. Subsets representing large dairy sheds in northeast Texas, the Erath County area, and the Hopkins County area were also evaluated individually. Each result illustrated a spatial process with areas of low and high ELISA ratio predictions. Cluster analysis was performed for the entire state with cases defined as herds having milk ELISA ratios greater than or equal to 1.8. Using this cutoff, the prevalence of herds with positive bulk tank milk ELISAs was 4.3%. Significant clustering of cases was demonstrated by the Cuzick and Edward's test. The spatial scan statistic then identified the two most likely clusters located in and near the Texas Panhandle. This study demonstrated that the distribution of S. Typhimurium antibodies in bulk tank milk in Texas is describable by a spatial process. Knowledge of this process will help elucidate geospatial influences on the presence of S. Typhimurium in dairy herds and enhance our understanding of the epidemiology of salmonellosis.