[01] Muhammad Sarwar, Department of Entomology, Nuclear Institute for Food & Agriculture (NIFA), Tarnab, Peshawar, Pakistan.

Transmission of certain diseases through food remained an important cause of illness in peoples both in developing and developed countries. This study aims to pinpoint the role of insect vectors for conveying foodborne pathogens for contamination of foodstuffs in the nearby houses and taking into consideration the possibility of tackling strategy. The public health importance of insect vectors cannot be overlooked as these cause illness that could be fatal or restrict working capacity, damage food and household goods and are a barrier to development of nation. There are several infectious diseases that are transmissible from non-human hosts to man, or from person to person. Humans may acquire infectious disease agents through a number of routes including food, water, direct contact and insect vectors. One of the most important issues associated with insects is their ability to transmit disease-producing pathogens such as protozoa, bacteria, viruses, tapeworms and nematodes to food. Insects may transmit these pathogens biologically to serve as an intermediate host (following an appropriate development of pathogen in the vector) or mechanically to act only as carrier (pathogen adheres to mouthparts, body, feet of vectors while feeding on infected hosts) to infect another food source. Food contaminating vectors such as flies, cockroaches, ants and stored products insects typically have high reproductive rates. The flies demonstrate significantly a higher prevalence for the presence of foodborne pathogens, and bacteria carried by these possess multi-antibiotic resistance profiles and enterotoxin. Humans commonly are exposed to high levels of potentially allergenic proteins associated with cockroaches, which can lead to significant respiratory ailments. Current studies displays that prevention of foodborne infections requires an integrated approach from farm to fork in food production systems. This involves measures aimed at eradication of infectious diseases within human population and prevention of contamination at all stages of the food supply chain. Amongst the most stringent guidelines is the rejection of food materials that could pose a risk to human health, adopting of human’s welfare standards, monitoring of disease within resident population, identification and traceability of individual person, and health requirements for food products imported into or traded within the state. Food hygiene standards at critical points throughout the food production process, and implementation of eradication and control strategies are important in prevention of contamination of food. In addition, an integrated vector management including a combination of two or more methods is often more effective than using a single method of control.

Vector, Foodborne Pathogens, Food Contamination, Health Safety

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