Salmonella enteritidis eradication programme in poultry breeder flocks in The Netherlands

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Microbiology
• Food Safety
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Salmonella enteritidis poses a significant threat to poultry health and public food safety.
• Effective eradication strategies are crucial for controlling S. enteritidis in commercial poultry populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the results of a Salmonella enteritidis eradication program in Dutch poultry breeder flocks from 1989-1992.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of a top-down eradication approach and alternative treatment methods.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a top-down eradication strategy targeting breeding stock.
• Annual screening of approximately 2300 poultry breeder flocks using bacteriological examination of caecal droppings until April 1992.
• Transition to a 'double-antibody sandwich blocking' (DAS blocking) ELISA-method for screening post-April 1992.
• Treatment of infected flocks with Baytril (enrofloxacin) and competitive exclusion flora as an alternative to culling.

Main Results:

• The top-down approach demonstrated success in reducing S. enteritidis prevalence in poultry breeder flocks.
• Treatment with enrofloxacin and competitive exclusion flora was an effective alternative to flock slaughter.
• No further increase in human S. enteritidis infections was observed in the Netherlands during the final three years of the program.

Conclusions:

• The top-down eradication strategy is effective for controlling Salmonella enteritidis in poultry.
• Alternative treatments offer a viable option for managing infected flocks, reducing economic losses.
• The program's success in poultry correlated with a stabilization of human S. enteritidis infections.