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Title: EFFECT OF ELECTROSTATIC SPACE CHARGE ON REDUCTION OF AIRBORNE TRANSMISSION OF SALMONELLA AND OTHER BACTERIA DURING THE LAY CYCLE AND TO THE PROGENY OF BROILER BREEDERS

Author
item RICHARDSON, L - UNIV OF GEORGIA-ATHENS
item HOFACRE, C - UNIV OF GEORGIA-ATHENS
item Mitchell, Bailey
item WILSON, J - UNIV OF GEORGIA-ATHENS

Submitted to: Avian Diseases
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/12/2004
Publication Date: 3/1/2004
Citation: Richardson, L.J., Hofacre, C.L., Mitchell, B.W., Wilson, J.L. 2004. Effect Of Electrostatic Space Charge on Reduction of Airborne Transmission Of Salmonella And Other Bacteria During The Lay Cycle And To The Progeny Of Broiler Breeders. Avian Diseases.

Interpretive Summary: Broiler breeder houses are a leading source of Salmonella contamination for broiler chickens. Salmonella is a leading cause of food-borne illness, and it can be transmitted from bird to bird more easily by air than by ingestion. A several month study was conducted by researchers from the University of Georgia and the Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory (USDA-ARS) to determine the ability of a dust reducing electrostatic space charge system (ESCS) to reduce airborne Salmonella and transmission of Salmonella to other birds and to chicks grown from eggs produced by the breeder flock. The study was done in rooms configured like a commercial broiler breeder house. Use of the ESCS resulted in a 61% reduction in airborne dust level and a 76% reduction in total airborne bacteria with no negative effects. The system also reduced bacteria on the egg collection belts by 63%, bacteria on the eggshell surface by 28%, and it resulted in less transmission of Salmonella to hens and chicks produced from their eggs. These promising results suggest that the ESCS has good potential for environmentally friendly reduction of disease-causing organisms such as Salmonella at the source as well as for improving air quality for animal production areas and for animal caretakers.

Technical Abstract: The average broiler breeder laying cycle is 40 weeks and during this period, a large amount of dust becomes airborne. Salmonella and other disease-causing organisms can be transmitted via the air between birds, and the infection merits concern due to the human food-borne illness associated with the consumption of poultry. Airborne transmission of Salmonella can be greatly reduced or eliminated with efficient reduction of airborne dust. In a 35 week study, rooms configured like a commercial breeder house were used to evaluate the effectiveness of an electrostatic space charge system (ESCS) in reducing airborne bacteria levels and Salmonella transmission. Measurements included airborne dust concentration, airborne and surface bacteria, egg contamination, and transmission of Salmonella from bird to bird as well as to broilers hatched from eggs produced in the rooms. The ESCS had no negative effect on bird performance, and it resulted in significant reductions of 61% for airborne dust, 76% for total airborne bacteria, 48% for airborne gram-negative bacteria, 63% for gram-negative bacteria on egg collection belts, and 28% for gram-negative bacteria on the eggshell surface. The ESCS treatment also resulted in fewer S. enteritidis positive hens and their progeny from the treatment room.