title: [Implementation and results of the EU-wide baseline study on the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in flocks of turkeys in Austria].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Offentliches Veterinärwesen, Veterinärmedizinische Universität, Wien. kostenzer@gmx.at
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kostenzer
authors.forename: Heimo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lassnig
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schliessnig
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kornschober
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Much
authors.forename: Josef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Köfer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001317:Austria / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012475:Salmonella / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012481:Salmonella Infections, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D012703:Serotyping / Q000662:veterinary; D014422:Turkeys; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control