Baseline survey on the prevalence of campylobacter in broiler intestines and on broiler carcasses in Israel

A prevalence survey was conducted to establish baseline and comparable data on the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in broiler intestines and on broiler carcasses in Israel. Fifty five slaughter batches were sampled over a 14-month period from January 2015 until February 2016. Campylobacter spp. were detected in the caeca samples from 49 (89.1%, 95% CI (Confidence Interval) 80.9-97.3) of the 55 slaughter batches and on 35 (63.6%, 95% CI 50.9-76.4) of the 55 carcasses. The sampled farms represent 7.6% of the broiler farms in Israel. Of the Campylobacter isolates from both caeca and carcass samples, 40% were identified as C. coli, 33% as C. jejuni and 27% as both C. coli and C. jejuni. In order to reduce the incidence rate of campylobacteriosis in the human population, mitigation strategies must focus on reduction of the Campylobacter spp. concentration in primary production and contamination reduction during processing.