[Implementation and results of the EU-wide baseline studies on the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in slaughter and breeding pigs in Austria]. / Umsetzung und Ergebnisse der EU-weiten Grundlagenerhebung zur Prävalenz von Salmonella spp. in Schlacht- und Zucht- schweinen in Osterreich.

The Member States of the European Union are following a common strategy on the control of Salmonella and other foodborne pathogens (Anonym, 2003). Within that framework baseline studies on the most relevant animal populations have been carried out. This paper describes the implementation and the results of the baseline studies on Salmonella spp. in slaughter and breeding pigs in Austria. A total of 647 slaughter pigs were sampled in 28 slaughterhouses between October 2006 and September 2007. Samples were taken from the ileocaecal lymphnodes to detect infection in pigs and from the surface of the carcasses to detect contamination. Out of the 617 datasets included in the final analysis, Salmonella prevalences of 2% in lymphnodes and 1.1% on the carcass surface were observed. S. Derby, S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium were the three most frequently identified serovars. In an additional study, a total of 252 holdings with breeding pigs has been sampled between January and December combined multiplier herds. Respectively prevalences of 5, 8, 5, 3 and 9.1% were obtained, with S. Typhimurium being the most frequently isolated serovar. Overall, compared to neighbouring Member States a rather low prevalence of Salmonella spp. in pigs was documented for Austria, in particular in slaughter pigs.The serovar distribution seemed to be similar throughout the pig populations, some also being represented in Austrian human isolates. Contamination of feed seems to play a minor role considering the overall low prevalence, but nevertheless has to be taken into account in any future control or monitoring strategy for Salmonella spp. in pigs.

[Implementation and results of the EU-wide baseline study on the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in flocks of turkeys in Austria]. / Umsetzung und Ergebnisse der EU-weiten Grundlagenstudie zur Prävalenz von Salmonella spp. in Putenherden in Osterreich.

The member states of the European Union (EU) are following a common strategy on the control of Salmonella and other foodborne zoonotic pathogens (Anonym, 2003). In order to establish the prevalence of Salmonella (S.) spp. in turkeys, a baseline survey was organised in between October 2006 and September 2007. In Austria a total of 202 turkey flocks in 104 holdings was included. By doing so, all holdings with fattening turkeys were covered by the sampling scheme, whereas breeding turkey flocks did not exist in the survey period. A prevalence of Salmonella spp. of 17.3% in flocks or 25% of holdings was obtained. A total of nine different serovars were identified, S. Hadar being the most frequently isolated with eleven flocks infected representing 31.4% of all. S. Montevideo and S. Saintpaul were both found in eight flocks, and S. Senftenberg in six flocks. Two flocks were colonized with S. Newport, while one flock each had S. Typhimurium, S. Derby, S. Blockley and a monophasic strain of Salmonella group B. Of the two serovars of highest relevance for human health, S. Typhimurium was detected in only 0.5% of flocks or 1% of holdings tested and S. Enteritidis was not detected at all. Taking into account the high prevalence of the various Salmonella serovars however control measures to prohibit horizontal transmission and entry of Salmonella spp. from the turkey reservoir into the food chain in Austria seem justified.

Prevalence of Salmonella spp. in Austrian broiler flocks in the context of the EU-wide baseline survey 2005-2006.

In Austria an EU-wide baseline survey on the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in broilers organized by the EU commission was conducted from October 2005 to September 2006. The aim of this study was to produce comparable data on the prevalence of Salmonella in broiler flocks and holdings for all member states and for the EU-Commission to set EU-wide targets for the control of Salmonella in the broiler populations. A randomised sampling plan was designed according to EU-commission parameters (p = 50%; CI = 95%, a = 5%). Sampling was carried out regularly throughout the whole year. On every farm one flock was sampled with five pairs of boot swabs and analysed in the lab according to appendix D of ISO 6579 (2002). In Austria, 363 flocks on farms consisting of at least 5000 broilers each were tested. 28 flocks (7.7%) showed infections with Salmonella spp., eight flocks (2.2%) had either S. Enteritidis (six flocks) or S. Typhimurium (two flocks). In detail, S. Enteritidis (1.7%), S. Typhimurium (0.6%), S. Montevideo (4.1%), S. Infantis 0.6%, S. Senftenberg, S. Tennessee and S. Virchow (0.3% each) have been found. Data indicated that the risk of vertical transmission of Salmonella spp. to broiler flocks has almost been kept at bay; however, the risk of horizontal transmission still needs attention. Contamination of feeding stuff, possible persistence, spreading between barns of a farm as well as introduction of Salmonella spp. through individuals or materials are important factors for future control strategies.