Drug-resistant bacteria found in pork

WASHINGTON, June 17 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say antibiotic-resistant bacteria has been found in pigs, pork products and even some veterinarians who work with swine.

Public-health doctors at the University of Iowa found drug-resistant bacteria in nearly half of pigs tested with nasal swabs, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday. University of Minnesota researchers found the bacteria in 7 percent of swine veterinarians tested, while Ontario Veterinary College researcher Scott Weese found the bacteria in 10 percent of ground pork and pork chops tested in parts of Canada.

"It's potentially relevant to the human population," Weese told the newspaper. "The question is whether it can cause problems among humans."

Weese said bacteria in pork and pigs "are not an important source of disease at this point."