Transporting broiler chickens could spread antibiotic-resistant organisms through the air

[Sally Furniss]

Transporting broiler chickens could spread antibiotic-resistant organisms


Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have found evidence of a novel pathway for potential human exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria from intensively raised poultry driving behind the trucks transporting broiler chickens from farm to slaughterhouse.

A study by the Hopkins researchers found increased levels of pathogenic bacteria, both susceptible and drug-resistant, on surfaces and in the air inside cars traveling behind trucks that carry broiler chickens.

The study is the first to look at exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria from the transportation of poultry.

The findings are published in the first issue of the Journal of Infection and Public Health.

Typically, broiler chickens are transported in open crates on the back of flatbed trucks with no effective barrier to prevent release of pathogens into the environment.

Previous studies have reported that these crates become contaminated with feces and bacteria.

The new study was conducted on the Delmarva Peninsulaa coastal region shared by Maryland, Delaware and Virginia, which has one of the highest densities of broiler chickens per acre in the United States. Ana M. Rule, PhD, a research associate in the Bloomberg School's Department of Environmental Health Sciences, along with professor Ellen K. Silbergeld, PhD, and Sean L.

Evans collected air and surface samples from cars driving two to three car lengths behind the poultry trucks for a distance of 17 miles.

The cars were driven with both air conditioners and fans turned off and with the windows fully opened.

Air samples collected inside the cars, showed increased concentrations of bacteria (including antibiotic-resistant strains) that could be inhaled.

The same bacteria were also found deposited on a soda can inside the car and on the outside door handle, where they could potentially be touched.

"We were expecting to find some antibiotic-resistant organisms since it's pretty clear that the transportation conditions for these chickens are not closed or contained," Rule said.

"Our study shows that there is a real exposure potential, especially during the summer months, when people are driving with the windows down; the summer is also a time of very heavy traffic in Delmarva by vacationers driving to the shore resorts."

The strains of bacteria collected were found to be resistant to three antimicrobial drugs widely used to treat bacterial infections in people.

These drugs are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use as feed additives for broiler poultry.

The study findings were also consistent with other studies on antibiotic resistance in poultry flocks and poultry products.

According to the authors, the findings support the need for further exposure characterization, and attention to improving methods of biosecurity in poultry production, especially for regions of high density farming such as the Delmarva Peninsula.

http://www.bio-medicine.org/biology...spread-antibiotic-resistant-organisms-6001-1/

 

[tropical]

Re: Transporting broiler chickens could spread antibiotic-resistant organisms through the air

Also an (if infected) avian flu live poultry transport transmission route now confirmed.

 

[mixin]

Re: Transporting broiler chickens could spread antibiotic-resistant organisms through the air

We have a large duck farm here and they're transported in trailers with large round holes for ventilation. As it's going down the road, duck feathers fly through the air. I never gave thought to all the bacteria that might be floating, too.

We have swine farmers, here too, that transport the same way. The smell is so bad when they pass by, you can still smell it with the car windows rolled up. The ones on the top level urinate, defacate on the ones on the lower level.

 

[tropical]

Re: Transporting broiler chickens could spread antibiotic-resistant organisms through the air

We have a large duck farm here and they're transported in trailers with large round holes for ventilation. As it's going down the road, duck feathers fly through the air. I never gave thought to all the bacteria that might be floating, too.

We have swine farmers, here too, that transport the same way. The smell is so bad when they pass by, you can still smell it with the car windows rolled up. The ones on the top level urinate, defacate on the ones on the lower level.

Yes indeed, those poor animals were treated as known.

Only better anti-pain animal laws can change something.

Obviously, the intention must not be because of potential illnesses to additionaly penalize the animals whose lives will be taken, but to aleviate their pain.
The ventilation windows, floors with drainage, and enaugh water and space must be ensured, not cutted.
Reinforce the outlawing of deliberate torching events on them (as we can saw from the TV, or the web, sporadicaly published).

The problem must be solved at the roots of business, where the animals come from - no allowing ultrafast intensively raising with preventive antibiotics which than stimulate the insurgence of new superstrain microbes.

Instead an more balanced approach with minor incomes but better quality and safety.