Water troughs are key to toxic E. Coli spread in cattle

A major study led by Cornell University researchers reveals for the first time that water troughs on farms are a conduit for the spread of toxic E. coli in cattle, which can then spread the pathogen to people through bacteria in feces. The study was published Feb. 7 in the journal PLOS ONE. Wendy Beauvais, a postdoctoral researcher, is the paper’s first author. Co-authors included researchers from Texas A&M University, West Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University. The study also looked at ways to reduce or limit bacterial growth, such as increasing trough  water volume. Read more…