The Styrian Salmonella prevention programme in poultry. 2(nd) report: examinations in broiler production

The Styrian salmonella prevention programme in poultry comprises statutory and voluntary measures to be taken in broiler flocks. In the period under r eview 8,612 cloacal swabsamples were bacteriologically analysed for Salmone lla. The percentage of positive samples decreased from 15.5 % in 1994 to 5. 4 % in 1998. The comparison of the results from cloacal swab examinations w ith the human isolates obtained during the same period revealed a distinct correlation for both the serovars and S. enteritidis phage-types diagnosed. The examination of samples collected directly after delivery from hatchery , which provides information on the extent of vertical Salmonella transmiss ion, revealed that 20.4 % of tested samples were positive in 1997 and 11.6 % in 1998. Out of 77 flocks examined in 1998 shortly before the end of the fattening period, 15 (19.5 %) were found to be positive for Salmonella. The data obtained provide valuable information on the situation of Salmonella contamination in Styrian broiler flocks and serve as an important basis for future control strategies.