Backyard chicken flocks in North Carolina harbor nearly twice the prevalence of the foodborne bacteria Campylobacter compared to commercial farms, according to a new study.
The findings come in a broader context of public health concerns regarding backyard poultry. Public health officials are investigating Salmonella outbreaks in multiple states linked to contact with backyard poultry. Since the last update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on June 27, 195 cases of illness have been reported in 38 states, with 50 hospitalizations. The investigation remains active and highlights the risks associated with handling backyard poultry.
The research, published in JAC – Antimbiotic Resistance, also reveals the levels of antibiotic resistance among all chicken flocks and highlights the need for greater attention to the health and hygiene of backyard poultry.
Researchers from North Carolina State University collected samples from ten backyard and ten commercial broiler farms to assess the prevalence and resistance of Campylobacter. They sampled fecal and environmental sources at different stages of the chickens’ development: days 10, 31 and 52 for backyard flocks, and days 10, 24 and 38 for commercial farms. Environmental samples include soil, litter, compost, food and water troughs.
The study found that 21.9 percent of samples from backyard flocks tested positive for Campylobacter, compared to 12.2 percent of samples from commercial farms. The majority of isolates were identified as Campylobacter jejuni (70.8 percent), while the remaining 29.2 percent were identified as Campylobacter coli. On backyard farms, 70.2 percent of positive samples came from feces, 6.4 percent from soil, 3.5 percent from litter/compost, and 19.9 percent from swabs from feeders and waterers. For commercial farms the figures were 84.2 percent, 0 percent, 12.6 percent and 3.2 percent respectively.
The antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed a high level of resistance: 40.2 percent of all isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin and 46.6 percent resistant to tetracycline. Strikingly, a higher percentage of resistant isolates were found on commercial farms, especially among Campylobacter jejuni.
“Despite the higher prevalence of Campylobacter on backyard farms, we observed a higher proportion of resistant isolates on commercial farms, especially in C. jejuni compared to C. coli,” the study authors noted.
Health and safety tips for backyard flock owners from the CDC:
- Wash your hands: Always wash your hands with soap and water immediately after handling backyard poultry, their eggs or anything in their environment. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer. Make sure there is hand sanitizer near your chicken coop.
- Avoid direct contact: Don’t kiss or hug poultry in the backyard, and avoid eating or drinking nearby to prevent the spread of germs.
- Outdoor supplies: Store all poultry-related supplies, such as feed containers and shoes worn in the coop, outside the house. Clean these supplies outside as well.
- Supervise children: Always supervise children around backyard poultry and make sure they wash their hands thoroughly afterwards. Children under the age of five should not touch chicks or ducklings due to their higher susceptibility to disease.
- Handling eggs safely: Collect eggs regularly to prevent contamination. Discard cracked eggs and clean dirty eggs with a brush or cloth. Immediately cool eggs and cook them thoroughly to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
For shops and hatcheries:
- Purchase poultry from hatcheries that follow USDA best management practices to reduce Salmonella contamination.
- Clean and disinfect poultry exhibits between shipments.
- Provide handwashing stations and health information for customers.
Salmonella infections
Salmonella infection typically causes diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, with symptoms appearing six hours to six days after exposure. Most people recover within a week without treatment, but severe cases may require medical attention, especially in young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.
The full investigation can be found here.
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