02 October 2026
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has published its annual surveillance report detailing Salmonella patterns across Great Britain for 2025. Overall, the data demonstrates that regulated serovars of major public health significance remain well controlled across commercial poultry sectors, consistently meeting or outperforming national targets under statutory National Control Programmes (NCPs).
-Chickens (Broilers, Layers, and Breeding Flocks): A total of 2,407 Salmonella isolations were identified in chickens during 2025 (a 22.7% increase compared to 2024), overwhelmingly derived from routine statutory surveillance (93.1%) rather than clinical disease. The vast majority comprised non-regulated serovars, with S. Idikan (including monophasic variants) remaining the most prevalent (37.8%; 909 isolations), followed by S. Kedougou (17.6%), S. Montevideo (14.2%), and S. Mbandaka (9.8%).
- Broiler Flocks: Estimated flock prevalence of Salmonella spp. rose to 4.50% (2,082 of 46,298 flocks), primarily driven by recurring non-regulated serovars (S. Idikan, S. Kedougou, and S. Mbandaka) linked to persistence in mills and holdings. However, regulated serovars (S. Enteritidis, S. Typhimurium, and monophasic S. Typhimurium) were detected in only 2 flocks (estimated prevalence <0.01%), vastly below the 1.0% statutory threshold.
- Laying Hen Flocks: A total of 46 adult laying flocks tested positive for Salmonella spp. (prevalence of 1.23%). Regulated serovars were identified in 16 flocks (0.43% prevalence: 10 flocks with S. Enteritidis and 6 with S. Typhimurium), remaining safely beneath the national 2.0% ceiling.
- Breeding Flocks: Adult breeding chicken flocks maintained an exceptionally low regulated serovar prevalence of 0.18% (2 flocks, both positive for monophasic S. Typhimurium), well below the 1.0% national reduction target. Overall Salmonella spp. prevalence stood at 1.01% (11 flocks).
- Turkeys: Salmonella isolations in turkeys dropped substantially by 69.4% to just 33 isolations in 2025 (compared to 108 in 2024 and 109 in 2023), representing the lowest annual count since statutory NCP monitoring commenced in 2010.
In stark contrast to 2024, no regulated serovars (S. Enteritidis or S. Typhimurium) were detected in either breeding or fattening turkey flocks throughout 2025, recording a 0.00% prevalence against national limits (1.0%).
Non-regulated serovars dominated all findings, led by S. Kedougou (30.3%), followed by S. Agona and S. Goldcoast (15.2% each). Notably, S. Derby - historically the most pervasive serovar in GB turkeys - was entirely absent in 2025.
- Ducks & Geese: Salmonella isolations from ducks fell by 42.3% to 113 isolations, largely driven by voluntary industry testing; S. Indiana remained the predominant serovar (69.0%). Only a single isolation of S. Typhimurium (ST19) and zero S. Enteritidis were detected in ducks. No Salmonella isolations were recorded in geese.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Profiles - Chickens: High susceptibility was maintained overall; 78.7% of chicken isolates were fully sensitive to all 16 antimicrobials tested. Multi-drug resistance (MDR) was limited to 4.9%. Ciprofloxacin resistance was detected in only two isolates, and none exhibited resistance to critically important third-generation cephalosporins.
Turkeys: Susceptibility declined to 34.6%, influenced by a newly emerged multi-drug resistant S. Goldcoast strain showing co-resistance to ciprofloxacin and third-generation cephalosporins (cefotaxime/ceftazidime).
Ducks: Isolates remained predominantly sensitive, with 90.7% fully susceptible to the entire test panel and zero resistance observed against fluoroquinolones or cephalosporins.
Defra / APHA – Salmonella in animals and feed in Great Britain, 2025 (Published September 2026)
