In Serbian poultry, one in 12 slaughterhouse samples hides Salmonella, but hatcheries have none.

Salmonella is a harmful bacteria that can spread from poultry to humans through food, causing illness. Researchers wanted to see how widespread it was across the poultry production chain in Serbia and find out what challenges farmers face in stopping it. They tracked test records from farms, hatcheries, and slaughterhouses, and surveyed farmers about farm biosecurity, which means the safety rules used to stop diseases from spreading. They found Salmonella in some farm samples and an even higher share of slaughterhouse samples, while hatchery samples were clean. Chickens raised for meat, called broilers, had the highest infection rates among poultry types. A specific type of bacteria called S. Enteritidis caused most of the farm cases. Seasons also changed how often the bacteria appeared. Finally, farmers reported that clearing out birds, managing waste and dead birds, controlling pests, and treating diseases were their hardest safety tasks.

Why it matters

Each year, thousands of people get sick from Salmonella linked to poultry. By tracking where the bacteria appear in Serbian farms and slaughterhouses, and asking farmers what biosecurity steps are hardest, researchers pinpoint the weak spots. This can lead to smarter rules that protect both the birds and the people who eat them.

Questions answered