Researchers Find SE Persists on Layer Farms
BELGIUM - Researchers have found that Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) remains in the environment of persistently SE-contaminated layer farms, even after cleaning and disinfection, despite obligatory vaccination. The scientists identified the egg-collecting area as a critical point of contamination on most farms.
2 March 2012
2 minute read
By: The aim of a study reported by I. Dewaele of the Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO) in Melle and co-authors there and at other research institutes across Belgium was to examine the Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE) environmental contamination on persistently positive layer farms in Belgium during successive laying cycles.
In a paper published recently in Poultry Science, they explain that all of the farms were required to vaccinate their layers under the national control programme for Salmonella.
Seven farms with previous or current SE contamination were monitored during different stages of the laying period and after cleaning and disinfection. Environmental samples, including from the equipment and vermin, were taken in the house and egg-collecting area.
At the end of the first sampled laying period, 41.6 per cent of the environmental samples were contaminated with SE. After cleaning and disinfection, the prevalence dropped to 11.4 per cent.
On average, the prevalence in the second laying period increased again: 17.8, 18.4, and 22.3 per cent at the onset, middle and end of the lay period, respectively. After cleaning and disinfection before the third laying period, the prevalence decreased to 6.6 per cent and stabilised at the onset of lay (6.3 per cent).
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