project - Research and innovation
Campylobacter control - novel approaches in primary poultry production
Campylobacter control - novel approaches in primary poultry production
Objectives
NA
Objectives
Campylobacter is the most frequent bacterial cause of food-borne illness with diarrhea in Europe causing nine million cases of human disease annually in the EU alone. 50 – 80% of the cases of campylobacteriosis in humans may be attributed to the chicken reservoir as a whole. Therefore, reducing Campylobacter in the poultry sector will most certainly reduce the number of cases of human illness, and thereby also reduce the costs and suffering related to this disease. (see additional information field)
Activities
(see additional information field)
Additional information
The project CamCon identified several risk factors. The age of the broiler house, the density of birds, the level of biosecurity (anteroom and barrier at entrance), length of downtime (reducing downtime to up to 10 days being protective) and type of drinkers were all found to be associated with the risk of colonization by Campylobacter. Furthermore, there was an association between climate and colonization of flocks, i.e. the number of positive flock increased with increasing ambient temperatures.
The results of CamCon showed that the reduction of the burden of Campylobacter in broilers requires a wide approach directed at biosecurity, house design (especially the drinking systems) and also management of flocks. The incorporation of fly screens into the design of new houses should be considered given that flies pose a problem in relation to biosecurity. Nevertheless, basic biosecurity must be in place before fly screens are implemented and an upgrade of biosecurity within a broiler company in general will require at least a couple of years.
The project has developed Best practice manual downloadable at project’s website and available in several languages.
http://www.camcon-eu.net/
Project details
- Main funding source
- Other EU research and development funds
- Project acronym
- CamCon
- Agricultural sectors
- Poultry