RED DEER – Alberta poultry producers are working together to assess the prevalence of a severe form of salmonella.
Salmonella enteriditis cases must be reported in Alberta so hatcheries and those involved in turkey, chicken and egg production are co-operating in a blind study about the prevalence of the disease.
Salmonella enteriditis has been found in some Alberta flocks of broiler breeders, turkeys, broilers and layers.
It is not a new bacteria but in certain situations it can cause severe illness in people, especially if food is not cooked properly.
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Protein shakes containing raw eggs are also considered a risk.
“Cook your meat and it is gone,” said turkey board chair Darryl Doell at the turkey producers annual meeting in Red Deer Feb. 27.
Salmonella enteriditis is passed through eggs.
It can affect the oviduct of the hens and passes through to the egg, said surveillance veterinarian Delores Peters of Alberta Agriculture.
The new program will monitor hatcheries, kill plants and some farms.
The salmonella project is part of the wider Alberta veterinary surveillance network established earlier to survey cattle diseases. It now covers chicken, turkeys, pheasants, specialty flocks and ostriches, said Peters.
After avian influenza was detected in British Columbia, it was decided to move beyond cattle and survey the health of Alberta poultry and pigs.
Participating producers are asked to contribute regular data on mortalities and farm management. They are also encouraged to contact veterinarians as soon as possible if a problem is suspected within a flock.
Most people support the idea because it provides an early warning of potential diseases so prevention can start sooner, Peters said.
The best place to start with surveillance is among the people working in the barns who may notice changes. Their health should also be monitored because some diseases can be shared among animals, birds and people.
Producers can provide information to the government but during the poultry industry conference, they pointed out they need on-call service for weekends and holidays when trouble is noticed.
The government is reviewing bringing back diagnostic laboratories, said veterinarian Ron Clarke.
