[Measures for disinfection and sterilization of poultry housing after an outbreak of S. enteritidis]

Recommendations for correct cleansing and disinfection of S. enteritidis-contaminated chicken farms are given. References are made to the legal context and to its significance in a S. enteritidis control program. Quality and quantity of the suggested sampling procedure are based on WHO recommendations and on a four years experience of the author. 26 chicken farms on which S. enteritidis or S. typhimurium had been isolated in the previous crop have been monitored after disinfection. The results of 981 samples are presented. Salmonellae could not be isolated by swabs from visible clean surfaces after disinfection. Critical control points remain in the farm biotope: These are intermediate ceiling, litter beetle, rodents, exhaust ventilation fluff, margin zone of the outer building. These critical control points cannot be effectively disinfected. In case of demonstration of S. enteritidis from surfaces of the interior of the chicken house, a redisinfection will be necessary. S. enteritidis out of the farm biotope does not justify redisinfection of the farm.