The Danish control programme for salmonella in slaughter pig herds

Outbreaks of Salmonellosis in Danish pig herds were for many years very rare. However, at the beginning of this decade Salmonellosis in pigs became an emerging problem. The number of human cases were also increasing and in 1993 an epidemic (S. infantis) occured in the Copenhagen area. The epidemic could be attributed to contaminated pork. Consequently, a preliminary Salmonella control programme was initiated in 1993 and the present control programme was established in January 1995, according to the Danish Act of Zoonoses, 1994 and Order of Salmonella Surveillance, 1994

Bacteria in milk from anterior and posterior mammary glands in sows affected and unaffected by postpartum dysgalactia syndrome (PPDS)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The performance of piglet weight gain is strongly dependent on the sow's ability to meet the demand for adequate milk. Postparturient disorders, especially those subsumed under the term postpartum dysgalactia syndrome (PPDS), can alter or reduce the milk production sensitively, resulting in starving piglets. The aim of this study was to gather further information about the prevalence of different bacterial species in the anterior and posterior mammary glands of sows with respect to the clinical appearance of PPDS.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this study, the health status of 56 sows after farrowing was determined with special regard to mastitis and dysgalactia. Pooled milk samples from anterior and posterior glands were taken from both affected and non-affected animals and analysed bacteriologically for the presence of a wide spectrum of different pathogens.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mainly <it>Escherichia coli</it>, staphylococci and streptococci were detected in high percentages but without significant differences in healthy and diseased animals and anterior and posterior glands. However, the large percentages of coliform bacteria suggested a transmission route via faecal contamination.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In this study, the prevalence of different bacteria in anterior and posterior glands in PPDS positive and negative sows was analysed. No significant differences in bacteria of healthy and diseased sows were assessed. Therefore, the development of clinical PPDS and actual infection seems to be largely dependant on individual resistance in single sows.</p

The Danish control programme for salmonella in slaughter pig herds

Outbreaks of Salmonellosis in Danish pig herds were for many years very rare. However, at the beginning of this decade Salmonellosis in pigs became an emerging problem. The number of human cases were also increasing and in 1993 an epidemic (S. infantis) occured in the Copenhagen area. The epidemic could be attributed to contaminated pork. Consequently, a preliminary Salmonella control programme was initiated in 1993 and the present control programme was established in January 1995, according to the Danish Act of Zoonoses, 1994 and Order of Salmonella Surveillance, 1994.</p

Nation-wide Salmonella enterica surveillance and control in Danish slaughter swine herds

A nation-wide Salmonella enterica surveillance and control programme was initiated in Danish finishing herds over the first quarter of 1995, In Denmark, all swine for slaughter are identifiable by a unique herd code. For each herd code, and depending on the herd's annual kill, random samples ranging from four to more than 60 swine are obtained quarterly at the abattoir. A meat sample from each pig is frozen, and meat juice (harvested after thawing) is examined for specific antibodies against S. enterica using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The ELISA combines several S. enterica O-antigens, and allows detection of antibody response after a variety of different S. enterica serovar infections. Results are transferred to a central database, which each month (based on meat-juice tests obtained in the previous 13 weeks) assigns all herds into three S. enterica infection levels: Level 1, in which the S. enterica prevalence is deemed low and acceptable; Level 2, where there is a moderate prevalence of S. enterica seroreactors (from &gt; 50% in the smallest to &gt; 10% in the largest herds); Level 3, in which S. enterica seroreactor prevalence is clearly unsatisfactory (&gt; 50% for most herd sizes). Irrespective of Salmonella level, all herds receive a monthly update on the current results of the S. enterica test results. IF a herd is categorized in Level 2 or 3, it must receive an advisory visit by a practising veterinarian and a local swine extension specialist, and certain management hygiene precautions must be taken. If a herd is categorized in Level 3, the finishers from the herd must additionally be slaughtered under special hygiene precautions. This is supervised by the veterinary authorities. During 1995, 604 000 samples were tested for S. enterica, corresponding to 3.0% of the total kill. In December 1995, 15 522 herds (representing &gt; 90% of the national production) were categorized into one of the three levels: 14 551 herds (93.7%) in Level 1; 610 herds (3.9%) in Level 2; 361 herds (2.3%) in Level 3. The proportion of serologically positive meat-juice samples collected during 1995 ranged from a mean of 2.9% in smaller herds (101-200 swine slaughtered per year) to 6.1% in relatively large herds (more than 5000 swine slaughtered per year)