Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) symptoms in poultry can vary from no apparent signs to a mild disease syndrome in young chickens characterised by depression, poor growth, weakness, diarrhoea and dehydration.

SE symptoms in humans caninclude fever, headache, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms usually start around 6- to 72- hours after the contaminated food is eaten and usually last for 4- to 7- days but can continue for much longer.

If you have immediate health concerns, you should contact your medical professional in the first instance.

Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) is a notifiable disease under NSW legislation. There is a legal obligation to notify authorities if you know or suspect that birds are infected with this disease. If any bird owner is suspicious of SE, they should contact a veterinarian or the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 to arrange for sampling and testing.

For humans with immediate health concerns, you should contact your medical professional in the first instance. Additional information is available on the NSW Health website .

Notifiable disease testing is conducted by NSW DPI as a cost-free service to the submitter/owner.

Environmental sampling in asymptomatic flocks

If sampling from asymptomatic flocks for Salmonella Enteritidis (SE), swabbing of the environment is the most appropriate method of sampling. NSW DPI Laboratory uses a multiplex qPCR for testing of environmental samples for SE. For veterinarians unfamiliar with environmental sampling for SE testing, contact NSW DPI via the Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888 or animal.biosecurity@dpi.nsw.gov.au for further information. Further detailed information regarding environmental sampling for salmonella is available via Australian Eggs .

Symptomatic birds in which salmonellosis is a differential

If testing for salmonellosis in symptomatic birds, selective salmonella culture is appropriate via fresh tissues (liver, kidney, spleen, intestine) and faeces.

The process of submission for samples for salmonella diagnosis:

• Chill swab, tissue samples and faeces at either 4°C or with ice bricks. Do not freeze samples.
• If whole dead birds are being submitted, they should be securely packed (i.e. double bagged and in a rigid container) and clearly labelled SUSPECT SALMONELLOSIS.
• Courier to the NSW APHL:
• NSW Animal and Plant Health Laboratories  Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI) 
  Woodbridge Road 
  Menangle NSW 2568 
  Phone: 1800 675 623
• If you do not routinely dispatch samples to EMAI, contact laboratory customer service (1800 675 623, laboratory.services@dpi.nsw.gov.au) in advance for assistance with dispatch logistics.
• For more information on sample submission for salmonella culture, visit the NSW DPI Laboratory (EMAI) website.

Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) can be spread from property to property through the movement of birds, eggs, manure, produce, equipment, feed, rodents, people and vehicles (Figure 1).

Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) can cause the following symptoms in people: fever, headache, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms usually start around 6- to 72- hours after the contaminated food is eaten and usually last for 4- to 7- days but can continue for much longer. Symptoms can be severe in the young, elderly and immunocompromised.

To minimise food safety risks, eggs should be cooked thoroughly, which means they are cooked until whites are completely firm and yolk begins to thicken. For more information on handling eggs safely, visit Enjoy Eggs Safely .

1-How can I prevent the spread of Salmonella Enteritidis and protect my business?

You should have a documented biosecurity program to monitor for and prevent the introduction of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) on your property or the spread of bacteria between poultry sheds. This could include:

• Having an auditable farm biosecurity plan in place
• Buying pullets that are tested and confirmed to be SE-free
• Providing birds with drinking water derived from town water or water that has been effectively sanitised in line with the National Water Biosecurity Manual - Poultry Production
• Buying feed from a mill that monitors for Salmonella
• Having a documented ingredient and feed testing program for home diets
• Storing feed in areas not accessible to other animals (including vermin)
• Implementing an effective auditable vermin control program and using rodenticides in compliance with Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) label instructions
• Storing eggs on-farm promptly in a cool environment where the thermostat temperature is set at less than 15⁰C, but greater than 1⁰C
• Following recommended industry practices on the farm, particularly in the egg collection and grading area, in order to minimise risks associated with SE cross-contamination between equipment, eggs and humans
• Becoming a member of the Egg Standards of Australia voluntary quality assurance program
• Not allowing people coming back from overseas (within 7 days) or suffering from diarrhoea to work on the farm or handle birds
• An appropriate vaccination strategy after discussion with your private veterinarian
• Cleaning shared equipment before it is used
• Ensuring workers, particularly in the egg collection and processing area, are familiar with and follow personal hygiene measures to minimise the risk of transferring Salmonella from humans to poultry or eggs

2-Rodent control and Salmonella Enteritidis

Rats and mice can spread Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) and not show any symptoms or be impacted by the disease. SE can live in rodent populations and their droppings for long periods. Rodent control is thus critical to reducing the risk of spreading SE.

Producers can take steps to control rodents by ensuring that an effective and auditable control program is in place at all times, including:

• Select appropriate rodent baits and use them in accordance with label instructions
• Place rodent bait stations at regular intervals around shed perimeters and in other areas where rodent activity is likely to be high
• Inspect rodent bait stations and replace baits regularly
• Changing your rodent baiting program at intervals based on monitored rodent activity, this will assist in avoiding bait shyness
• Removing vegetation and debris from around poultry sheds
• Store poultry feed in vermin proof containers and clean up feed spills immediately
• Dispose of dead birds promptly and in a vermin-proof facility
• Maintain sheds in such a way to reduce the chance of rodent entry
• Seek advice from a rodent control professional if you are concerned with the level of rodent activity on your farm.

3-What happens if Salmonella Enteritidis is detected on a poultry farm or facility?

If a poultry farm or facility has confirmed positive tests for Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) it is quarantined under an Individual Biosecurity Direction (IBD) that is issued by NSW DPI. The IBD puts legal restrictions on the farm so that eggs, birds, other livestock, equipment and litter are only able to be removed under a permit to a licenced or approved facility.

Tracing of facilities or other businesses with recent contact with the affected premises will be undertaken and samples from those properties will be collected and investigated.

Affected poultry farms or facilities are required to undergo full decontamination and undertake testing for SE before they can start operating again. A DPI liaison officer will be available for the affected premises to provide advice and support.

4-Is there regular monitoring for Salmonella Enteritidis in layer flocks?

There is a National Salmonella Enteritidis Monitoring & Accreditation Program (NSEMAP) available to all commercial egg producers in Australia. NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) administers the NSEMAP. It is estimated that over 75 per cent of Australian layers are currently part of Salmonella monitoring through the NSEMAP.

5-Eggs Standards Australia

Egg Standards Australia (ESA) is a voluntary quality assurance program that has been developed to provide a practical mechanism to demonstrate compliance and continuous improvement with egg production standards. ESA provides a compliance framework for egg farmers in meeting the needs of regulators, retailers, farmers and customers in areas including hen welfare, egg quality, biosecurity, food safety, work health and safety, and environmental management.

National Salmonella Enteritidis Monitoring & Accreditation Program

Egg Standards Australia

NSW Food Authority

NSW Health

How to comply with Schedule 8 – control of Salmonella Enteritidis (Food Regulation 2015)