Norway Sees Significant Decline in Campylobacter Positivity in Broiler Flocks

Norway has reported the lowest rate of Campylobacter positive broiler flocks since 2009. In 2024, only 70 out of more than 2,000 broiler flocks tested positive for Campylobacter as part of a food safety surveillance program.

The monitoring of Campylobacter in broilers is a collaborative effort between the Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet), Animalia, and the poultry industry. The surveillance program aims to ensure the safety of poultry products consumed by the public.

Key Findings of the Surveillance Program

During the sampling period from May to October 2024, 3.4 percent of the tested flocks were positive for Campylobacter. A total of 2,071 flocks from 495 farms were sampled, with 57 farms having at least one positive flock. This result represents a significant improvement compared to the previous years, where positivity rates ranged from 4.8 to 6.1 percent.

Positive flocks are subjected to heat treatment or freezing for a minimum of three weeks to reduce the risk of campylobacteriosis transmission to humans. Norway’s proactive approach to managing Campylobacter in poultry has resulted in a lower prevalence of the bacteria compared to other European countries.

Human Cases and Collaborative Efforts

Despite the decline in Campylobacter positivity in broiler flocks, Campylobacteriosis remains the most commonly reported foodborne bacterial infection in Norway. In 2024, there were 3,092 reported cases, with efforts being made to identify and mitigate the sources of infection.

Animalia, along with various stakeholders in the poultry industry, is involved in the CampySafe project, which aims to develop more effective measures for controlling Campylobacter. The project focuses on improving control measures during slaughter, cooling, and freezing processes to further reduce the risk of contamination.

Conclusion

The collaborative efforts of government agencies, industry partners, and research institutions have led to a significant improvement in Campylobacter control in Norwegian broiler flocks. Continued vigilance and innovative strategies are essential to further reduce the prevalence of this pathogen and safeguard public health.

Source: Food Safety News