Project SACADA: SARS-CoV-2 transmission in meat processing plants
Résumé
In France and worldwide, during the COVID-19 pandemic, workers in the food production sector were considered as part of the critical infrastructure workforce. In spring 2020, clusters in the food production sector are reported in different countries. Meat processing plants have been repeatedly identified as hot spots for SARS-CoV-2 transmission in many countries, including France. Health authorities have identified barriers to effective prevention and control of COVID-19 in these plants, with socio-economic challenges that may contribute to workers in this industry continuing to work while ill.
The objective of the SACADA project (2021-2022) is to better understand the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in meat processing plants in order to provide preventive or mitigating measures for workers and consumers.
In this project, we have collected the data necessary to understand the circulation of the virus in this type of workplace.
We will use these data to build a simulation model of the spread of SARS-CoV-2. We follow four work packages. Firstly, the factors of transmission and persistence of SARS-CoV-2 in meat processing plants will be studied, based both on literature and experimental data. In a second task, and in order to understand the emergence of clusters, a description of the working conditions and environmental factors in meat processing plants was carried out, following epidemiological investigations but also through questionnaires, interviews and visits.
All of these elements support the third step, which is the construction of a mathematical model to simulate the spread of the virus in a meat processing plant. The objective is to evaluate the impact of certain prevention or mitigation measures on the probability of transmission of the virus to employees and the contamination of products
and the environment.
Finally, in a last task, we will propose elements for engaging employees in an effective safety management policy, gaining cooperation and support, and maintaining a positive safety culture.