Salmonella - Poultry chicken
Salmonella - Poultry

Protect your poultry farm against Salmonellosis

Salmonella is 1 of the 4 main global causes of diarrhea diseases in humans. In the United States, there are approximately 1.35 million cases of salmonellosis reported each year. As a result, it ranks among the top causes of hospitalizations and deaths related to food poisoning.

Salmonellosis, a bacterial infection impacting poultry, demands vigilant attention from livestock farmers, particularly concerning Salmonella pullorum and Salmonella gallinarum.

Measures you can take today to protect your flock

What causes Salmonellosis in poultry?

Salmonella is a gram negative rod-shaped genus belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family. There are more than 2700 types of Salmonella known. These are subdivided into groups, based on differences in antigens. Salmonella infections in poultry can be categorized into three main types:

  1. Host-Specific Infections: These are caused by Salmonella pullorum and Salmonella gallinarum, which mainly affect poultry and are not a major public health concern. Thanks to effective control measures, these infections are rare in most developed countries.
  2. Non-Host-Specific Infections: Caused by paratyphoid Salmonella subspecies like Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium. These strains can lead to food poisoning in humans and are a concern for public health.
  3. Arizonosis in Poultry: This is caused by infections with serotypes of the subgenus Salmonella Arizonae.

How does Salmonellosis spread?

Salmonella can be transmitted to birds via direct contact through contact with bodily fluids, feathers, or respiratory secretions. Indirectly the disease can be transmitted by:

  • Contaminated Feed and Water: The most common transmission route. Birds may consume feed or water that is contaminated with salmonella.
  • Infected Equipment: Via tools, cages, or clothing that have been contaminated.
  • Rodents and Insects: can act as vectors and spread the bacteria within poultry environments. including rats, mice but also the lesser mealworm or red mites.
  • Visitors: can introduce bacteria to the environment through contaminated clothing, footwear, or equipment. Certain strains of salmonella are reverse zoonotic and can be spread from humans to animals.
  • Transport vehicles: animal transport vehicles and feed providers can become contaminated with salmonella and spread the bacteria from farm to farm.

What are the symptoms of Salmonellosis in Poultry?

Symptoms of salmonella infection can manifest themselves in different ways depending on the age of the bird, overall health and the specific type of salmonella strain involved. In general the below symptoms can indicate a salmonella infection. Understanding these symptoms helps in early detection and effective response to outbreaks.

  1. Reduced appetite and weight loss
  2. Watery Diarrhea
  3. Lethargy, drowsy birds
  4. Decreased egg production
  5. Reduced mobility, Swollen joints and lameness
  6. Dehydration
  7. Lower hatchability

Protect your chicken from Salmonellosis

Salmonella prevention starts with placing salmonella-free animals. Good biosecurity is the most important defense that poultry farmers have to prevent the introduction of salmonella on their farm.

Implementing clear hygiene protocols and measures for visitors, vehicles, feed and goods entering the farm are important to prevent the introduction of new strains and reduce the pathogen pressure of existing salmonella infections.

Stay informed and proactive in managing the health of your poultry to ensure a productive and safe farming environment.

The 5 steps to prevent Salmonellosis in poultry

To protect your chickens from Salmonellosis, it's very important that we find and remove any dangers. Now, let's talk about five ways to keep Salmonellosis away.
Start with proper personal hygiene
Step 1

Start with proper personal hygiene

Each person that enters the farm needs to thoroughly shower and wash to reduce pathogen pressure on the animals and prevent the introduction of disease. Ensure thorough shoe disinfection with MS MegaDes Kiemkill to minimize the risk of contamination.How to set-up a hygiene protocol for visitors
Set-up a colour system
Step 2

Set-up a colour system

The use of dedicated colours for tools, equipment, and clothing in each location helps prevent contamination of Salmonellosis. If it is detected in one barn, it cannot be transmitted, simplifying the containment process.How to set-up a colour system
Clean and disinfect the poultry barn
Step 3

Clean and disinfect the poultry barn

A strict cleaning and disinfecting protocol for the living environment and all vehicles, tools and equipment that enter the farm. A strict protocol helps to prevent the introduction and spread of Salmonellosis. How to clean and disinfect a poultry barn
Water & nutrition
Step 4

Water & nutrition

Prevent the spread of Salmonella through the drinking water system by cleaning and disinfecting water lines with products like Di-O-Clean. Clean drinking water helps reduce pathogen levels. Additionally, organic acids such as MS Goldfeed Health, Prestige, or Welfare can lower Salmonella pressure.How to secure a clean water supply
Create a dry living environment
Step 5

Create a dry living environment

Bacteria need moisture to thrive. Maintaining a dry living environment helps to control the spread of bacteria and reduces pathogen pressure on the animals. How to create a dry living environment

Experts recommend

MS MegaDes Novo, the highly effective universal disinfectant is approved by the Dutch Ctgb for efficacy against Salmonellosis.
Contact MS Schippers
Call for personal advice +31-(0)497-339774 or send an email to export@msschippers.com

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