Prevalence of Salmonella Organisms in Poultry and Poultry Environments in Jamaica

Aim: This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Salmonella spp contamination in the Jamaican poultry industry and its environments.
Materials and Methods: A total of 45 farms across 6 Jamaican parishes were selected for this study. A total of 6693 specimens from animals and the environment were investigated for the presence of Salmonella spp. All specimens were placed in an igloo with ice packs and transported to the laboratory for analysis. Bacteriological media obtained from Difco Laboratories Detroit MI U.S.A were used for the isolation and identification of Salmonella spp. Salmonella serological typing was performed to determine the Salmonella serovar by standard procedures.
Results: This study revealed a low prevalence of Salmonella contamination/infection in both small and large entities in the poultry industry in Jamaica. The overall prevalence was 1 % (79 positive out of 6693 specimens). However, a higher prevalence of Salmonella was observed in the case of those operations which practiced “organic” poultry farming. It was shown that two Salmonella serovars including Augustenborg and Kentucky, identified during the study, are newly reported serovars in Jamaica. The sources of Salmonella infection varied from poultry itself to other species, such as rodents, pigs and insects. Improper disposal of broken eggs, wet bedding and other fomites contributed to Salmonella contamination.
Conclusions: The results of the study indicate possibility of salmonellosis (zoonosis) in Jamaica, although the prevalence of Salmonella spp was low, and the need for improved quality of the food industry, animal care and human health to prevent salmonellosis.