Optimizing salmonella surveillance: Local farm density as risk factor
A study on optimizing Salmonella surveillance programs for pullet and layer farms explores the role of local farm density as a risk factor for Salmonella infection, aiming to enhance surveillance efforts and control measures for Salmonella Enteritidis and Typhimurium. Researchers determined the significance of local farm density as a risk factor for Salmonella infection by fitting transmission kernels to Israeli surveillance data from June 2017 to April 2019. They assessed the risk of infection by Salmonella serovars Enteritidis and Typhimurium based on the presence of infected farms within specific radii.
The analysis revealed a significant increase in the risk of infection if infected farms were present within a radius of approximately 4 km for Enteritidis and 0.3 km for Typhimurium. By analyzing the relationship between local farm density and the risk of Salmonella infection, researchers established local farm density as a crucial risk factor for Salmonella infection on pullet and layer farms. The study indicates a 32% reduction in sampling effort compared to current surveillance programs in Israel. Implementing a risk-based surveillance program based on the findings of this study can help maintain the between-farm transmission rate (R0) of Salmonella serovars Enteritidis and Typhimurium below 1 for all pullet and layer farms. This can lead to improved disease control outcomes, and resources can be allocated more effectively to high-risk areas, potentially enhancing prevention and control measures.
