On farm prevention ofCampylobacter andSalmonella: lessons learned from basic biosecurity interventions

An observational study examining prevalence ofCampylobacter andSalmonella in environmental samples and biosecurity interventions to mitigate these 2 pathogens was performed for 3 consecutive flocks on a commercial broiler farm in northeast Georgia. Monitoring was performed first on a baseline flock for which no interventions or treatments were undertaken. The same monitoring was performed for 2 subsequent flocks which underwent biosecurity interventions and pest management treatments designed to prevent introduction and transmission ofCampylobacter andSalmonella. In addition to environmental sampling for the 2 treatment flocks, fly, darkling beetle, water line, and cecal samples were collected. No management interventions were instituted within or between flocks other than those prescribed by study design. Complete prevention ofCampylobacter andSalmonella was unsuccessful in the treated flocks but differences in prevalence were apparent although only 2 statistically significant differences were found between study flocks. Study data also revealed interesting patterns with respect to location and timing of positive isolations ofCampylobacter andSalmonella.