THE SPREAD OF SALMONELLAE IN FOOD-PRODUCI NG LIVESTOCK

There are three epidemilogical groups, to which salmonellae serovars i mportant for man and animals should be assigned: 1. epidemically occur ring species-adapted, 2. sporadically occurring, non-species-adapted a nd 3. endemically occurring, non-species-adapted serovars. Based on th is assignment, the epidemiologically relevant categories of salmonello sis and salmonella infection are described, and, their quantitative pa ttern depending on the host species as well as on exposition and dispo sition are discussed. Examples are given for conditions that promote s almonella infection and excretion in herds and flocks, which lead to t he description of the measures to be taken and the research to be carr ied out, in order to reduce the risk to human health due to salmonella e in the food chain.