The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine

Georgia Veterinary Scholars Program

GVSP Summer 2006 Scholars

Georgia Veterinary Scholar	Faculty Mentor

Callie Harris Tuskegee University Class of 2008	Dr. John Maurer

Salmonella: An Epidemiological Investigation based on Farm Surveillance of Northeastern Georgia’s Broiler Breeders

Callie Harris*, Olayinka Ishola, Willie Greggs, Charles Hofacre, Dana Cole, John Maurer
Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia

Salmonella is a leading cause of food-borne illnesses. FSIS has reported an increase in chicken broiler carcasses testing positive for Salmonella during 2002-2005. Poultry remains the primary vehicle for transmitting Salmonella to humans. To determine the source of Salmonella sp. within the poultry production pyramid, the first place for understanding its transmission starts with the broiler breeder farms. This study was done to show the possible routes of transmission in poultry integrators from the initial placement of the chicks from the primary breeder company. This was done monthly until the birds reached 22 weeks of age and were moved to hen houses. Drag swabs, dust samples and feed were collected from each house. Standing water around the houses and mice were also collected. All broiler breeder farms surveyed were positive for Salmonella. There was varying Salmonella prevalence amongst pullet houses sampled at the time of placement. However, over time, all houses on a farm became culture positive for Salmonella. Several farms had rodents in the houses but only 2 of 5 farms surveyed was Salmonella isolated from mice. Of 17 initial placements, 30 of 510 box liners were positive for Salmonella. To determine the source of transmission, molecular typing has to be done to verify if the Salmonella is coming from the mice in the environment or with the birds upon initial placement.