Cost-benefit analysis of a screening strategy for Salmonella enteritidis in poultry

Salmonella enteritidis is an emerging problem in several industrial countries. Outbreaks caused by this organism are almost always associated with the consumption of eggs and egg-products originating from infected poultry flocks. To reduce human infection, elimination of contaminated flocks could be considered. In this study we estimated the effectiveness of such a measure to reduce human infections. If poultry flocks are screened for S. enteritidis only once during their laying period, there is a 43.7% reduction in contaminated eggs. The effectiveness increases if the frequency of screening is increased, resulting in a 65.4% reduction in contaminated eggs after three screenings. The costs of this intervention strategy are determined by both the costs of screening and the economic losses of destroying poultry flocks.