Poultry-borne salmonellosis in Scotland

Between 1980-5, 224 outbreaks of salmonellosis associated with poultry-meat were reported in Scotland. In total 2245 persons were affected, 12 of whom died. Twenty-one salmonella serotypes were identified from those affected, while 33 serotypes were isolated from poultry during routine monitoring and disease investigation. Existing measures to prevent the spread of salmonellae within poultry flocks and processing plants are failing. It is suggested that irradiation of poultry-meat may be the only effective method of reducing the public health problem of poultry-borne salmonellosis.