Risk factors for Salmonella in flocks of laying hens in Germany

Regulation No EC/2160/2003 requires a target for reducing Salmonella in flocks of laying hens. As comparable data was needed, an EU-wide baseline study was carried out to estimate the prevalence of Salmonella. Specifications were laid down in Decision 2004/665/EC and Technical Specifications SANCO/34/2004 Rev3. Data was collected between 1 October 2004 and 30 September 2005. In Germany, 533 flocks were investigated in this study. The raw prevalence of Salmonella spp. was 29.8 % (CL: 25.9-33.6); accounting for regional allocation and farm size, prevalence was 25% (1). Within the German study, hypotheses were generated regarding possible risk factors. To evaluate and specify the analyses, a statistical-epidemiological analysis was conducted (1). (1) Käsbohrer A. Pilot Study on the Occurrence of Salmonella spp. In Laying hens in Germany. (BfR) [Master (MSE)]. Berlin, Hannover: "Master of Science Programme pidemiology";2006.