Better control of Salmonella in commercial duck flocksProtect your flocks, your business and British food

BackgroundSalmonella Enteritidis (SE) and S.Typhimurium (ST) are the leading causes of Salmonella infection in people.

EU and National regulations are in place for control of SE and ST, including monophasic strains of ST (mST) in chickens and turkeys.

The Duck Assurance Scheme issued by the British Poultry Council provides similar guidance for duck producers. There have been outbreaks of Salmonella food poisoning in people caused by duck eggs and meat.

ST definitive type (DT) 8 and SE phage type (PT) 9b are commonly associated with ducks, but a range of other types can also be found.

Moisture levels and the need for daily replenishment of bedding in duck houses, as well as ‘home’ breeding of replacement birds, makes Salmonella control more difficult than for other poultry.

Hatcheries can also act as a focus of Salmonella

PROTECT YOUR FLOCK!

♦ Salmonella is circulating in pigs, cattle, pets, horses and the general environment, and can also be found in people.

♦ As with any disease, the risk of Salmonella can be minimised by good biosecurity and farm hygiene (Refer to the Duck Assurance Scheme and Defra Codes of Practice for control of Salmonella and rodents on poultry farms [http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/ diseases/atoz/zoonoses/documents/reports/salrodent.pdf])

Main sources of Salmonella and control measuresPigs, cattle and pets fed on raw meatPigs and young cattle are at high risk of carrying ST or mST.• Avoid housing pigs and cattle close to ducks• Don’t allow pets into duck houses or feed bedding stores• Manage manure to avoid run off and wildlife access.• Where possible, use separate staff for ducks and other animals.• When possible, deal with ducks before other animals.• Change boots, overalls and hair protection between other animals and ducks, and wash/ sanitise hands.• Use high strength disinfectant boot dips on entering and leaving ducks sheds.• Try to avoid carrying Salmonella from outside the house or from other houses on vehicles during bedding up.• Do not share equipment between poultry and other animals.

RodentsRodents are especially important vectors as they can be easily infected(e.g. from pig, cattle or wild bird faeces or contaminated feed) and significantly multiply Salmonella, leading to infection in poultry.• Many poultry farms with ST or mST have had rodent problems.• Mice are a bigger Salmonella problem than rats.• Prevent access to poultry feed and stored bedding.• Regularly check for rodent signs – e.g. droppings, tracks, urine pillars, grease marks and place bait close to activity, including within colonised wall and roof spaces.• Proof buildings as thoroughly as possible and prevent routes that allow mice access to feeders.• Refer to Defra CoP for more detail on rodent control.

Wild birdsWild birds can carry Salmonella and other pathogens between and within farms• The higher the number of birds, the greater the risk.• Avoid feed spillages, pooled water and perching places for wild birds.• If necessary, net vents to stop wild birds getting to feeders and drinkers inside the house.

Contaminated house from previous flockMany Salmonella cases may appear to be new, but may have also been undetected in the previous flock.• Clean and disinfect thoroughly between flocks.• Use disinfectants recommended for Salmonella at Defra General Orders concentration.• Pay special attention to feeding and drinking systems.• Allow sufficient down-time to do a good job and dry the house before restocking.• Ensure no persistence of rodents or litter beetles in the house.• Seek specialist advice on decontaminating range areas, e.g. by cultivation, resting, chemical treatments.

Sampling using boot swabs to collect faeces

Rodent droppings

Stored egg trays

Movement of people andequipmentAny movement between premises may spread infection.

• Accept visitors by appointment only and minimise numbers of visits.

• Take care when admitting people who have worked on other livestock farms.

• Clean and disinfect any equipment that has been on another farm, including tool boxes, step ladders etc.

• Provide good quality and clean protective clothing, including disposable gloves and hair protection.

• Provide clean hand washing and toilet facilities for visitors.

• Keep a visitors record book to log visitors and their previous farm destination.

• Take care when sourcing birds or hatching eggs from outside the normal supply chain.

Feed and bedding

Ask your vet to investigate the Salmonella-testing records of feed suppliers.

• If feed is not heat treated, consider adding a chemical anti-Salmonella product

• Do not use surplus feed from other farms, or saved between flocks, if Salmonella has been present.

• Store bedding carefully on the site to prevent access by dogs, cats and wildlife pests.

Vaccination• It is possible to vaccinate against ST and SE

• Some vaccines can also provide some protection against other types of Salmonella

• A live Salmonella vaccine applied by coarse spray at day old, followed by two later doses in water is usually the most effective

• Additional use of killed SE/ST vaccine by injection, as well as the live vaccine, can also help with problem cases

• Always consult a veterinary specialist before introducing a vaccination program

• Vaccination alone rarely works; farm hygiene standards must also be good

Breeding flocks• Know the Salmonella status of your flocks by monitoring regularly using boot swabs

• Monitor the hatchery using hatcher fluff samples

• If the hatchery is contaminated you will need to use more intensive cleaning and disinfection in hatchers and wash/waste areas

• If breeding flocks supplying eggs to the hatchery are infected, action to break the Salmonella cycle is required

• In all cases of breeder flocks or hatchery infection – seek specialist advice

Contact: APHA Weybridge, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB

Telephone: Rob Davies 01932 357361Email: Rob.Davies@apha.gsi.gov.uk