Long-term experience with competitive exclusion and salmonellas in Finland

Poultry production is under strict official control in Finland. Fifteen years after the introduction of 'competitive exclusion' treatment the majority of growers (over 70%) use it routinely. The number of Salmonella-positive flocks is less than 5% and the incidence of Salmonella-contaminated broiler carcasses has been 5-11% in the last two years. The average number of Salmonella cells on contaminated carcasses is very low, generally less than 5 per carcass. Between 70 and 80% of human Salmonella infections are contracted abroad, mainly outside the Nordic countries. It is estimated that only 15-20% of some 1200 cases of domestic origin are caused by contaminated poultry.