Risk factors for Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica persistence in broiler-chicken flocks on Reunion Island
M.A. Ethèves,
N. Choisis,
S. Alvarez,
F. Dalleau,
J. Hascoat,
V. Gallard,
E. Cardinale
Affiliations
M.A. Ethèves
UMR Animal, Santé, Territoires, Risques et Écosystèmes, CIRAD - BIOS, Cyroi Platform 2 rue Maxime Rivière, 97490 Ste Clotilde, La Réunion, France; ASTRE, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAe, Montpellier, France
N. Choisis
Groupement de défense sanitaire de La Réunion, 1 rue du Père Hauck, PK23, Bâtiment E/F/G, 97418 La Plaine des Cafres, La Réunion, France
S. Alvarez
UMR Animal, Santé, Territoires, Risques et Écosystèmes, CIRAD - BIOS, Cyroi Platform 2 rue Maxime Rivière, 97490 Ste Clotilde, La Réunion, France; ASTRE, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAe, Montpellier, France
F. Dalleau
Groupement de défense sanitaire de La Réunion, 1 rue du Père Hauck, PK23, Bâtiment E/F/G, 97418 La Plaine des Cafres, La Réunion, France
J. Hascoat
Groupement de défense sanitaire de La Réunion, 1 rue du Père Hauck, PK23, Bâtiment E/F/G, 97418 La Plaine des Cafres, La Réunion, France
V. Gallard
Coopérative des Aviculteurs de La Réunion, AVIPOLE, 14 rue de l’Etang, 97450 Saint-Louis, La Réunion, France
E. Cardinale
UMR Animal, Santé, Territoires, Risques et Écosystèmes, CIRAD - BIOS, Cyroi Platform 2 rue Maxime Rivière, 97490 Ste Clotilde, La Réunion, France; ASTRE, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAe, Montpellier, France; Corresponding author.
This study was conducted to identify the main risk factors for Salmonella spp. persistence in broiler flocks in Reunion Island. Seventy broiler farms were surveyed from March 2016 to June 2018. Samples of fresh droppings were collected using gauze socks, and a questionnaire was completed with the farmers. Persistence was defined as an infection with the same serovar before and after cleaning and disinfection (C/D) of poultry houses. Salmonella spp. was found to persist on 27% of the farms. Cleaning concrete surrounding areas (OR = 0.23) and disinfecting silos (OR = 0.17) reduced the risk of pathogen persistence. An analysis of infections of pests found in the vicinity of the farms confirmed their role in the persistence of Salmonella spp. Fifteen percent of the pests were infected and the presence of mealworms in poultry litter (OR = 6.69) was found to increase the risk of Salmonella spp. persistence. We conclude that improved cleaning-disinfection, sanitary preventive measures and pest control in the poultry sector are needed to avoid the persistence of Salmonella spp. on broiler farms.
