Contamination of and Serotype 2 in Raw Pork and Edible Pig Organs: A Public Health Concern in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

is one of the most important zoonotic pathogens causing serious diseases in both pigs and humans, especially serotype 2. In northern Thailand, there is a notable prevalence of infection in humans and transmission has occurred mainly through the consumption of raw pork products. Despite the continued practice of consuming raw pork in this region, limited data exist regarding contamination in such products. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of and serotype 2 in retail raw pork meat and edible pig organs sold in Chiang Mai city, Thailand. A total of 200 samples, comprising raw pork meat and edible pig organs, were collected from nine fresh markets in Chiang Mai city between May and July 2023. Samples were prepared and cultured in Todd-Hewitt broth. Bacterial DNA was extracted and tested for any serotypes of and serotype 2 using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) techniques. The study revealed contaminations of and serotype 2 at rates of 84% and 34%, respectively, with a higher prevalence observed in pig organs compared to raw pork. Both and serotype 2 were detected across all nine fresh markets investigated. The prevalence of remained consistently high throughout the study period, whereas serotype 2 showed peaks in May and July. These high rates of contamination indicate that people who consume or work in close contact with raw pork or edible pig organs are at a high risk of infection. Urgent implementation and maintenance of food safety campaigns and public health interventions are crucial for disease prevention and control.