REDUCTION OF CAMPYLOBACTER INFECTIONS IN BROILER FLOCKS BY APPLICATION OF HYGIENE MEASURES

Transmission routes of Campylobacter spp, in broilers and possibilitie s for prevention of infections were studied on two Dutch broiler farms . The occurrence of Campylobacter spp, was studied in successive broil er flocks, in the environment of the farms and in some of the parent f locks involved. Isolates of Campylobacter spp. were typed by using ran domly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. The results indicate that broiler flocks become infected from environmental sources. The ty ping results suggest that on one farm transmission of Campylobacter sp p, occurred from cattle to broilers via the farmer's footwear. After s everal campylobacter positive broiler cycles hygiene measures, includi ng thorough cleaning and disinfection procedures, change of footwear a t the entrance of each broiler house, control of vermin and other hygi enic precautions, were introduced on both farms in order to prevent tr ansmission of Campylobacter spp. from the farm environment to the broi lers. The results indicate that the application of hygiene measures si gnificantly reduced campylobacter infections of broiler flocks on both farms.