ThermophilicThermotolerant Campylobacter organisms (TCOs) are primary causes of bacteria foodborne gastroenteritis worldwide. Although all warm-blooded animals are susceptible to colonization by TCOs, food-producing animals, especially poultry are major reservoirs of the infection for transmission to humans. This epidemiological study for thermophilicthermotolerant Campylobacter infection (TCI) in poultry was therefore conducted to determine the prevalence and to identify the risk factors of TCI in 60 randomly selected poultry farms in Nsukka agricultural zone. Structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on the farmers involvement in practices that may aggravate TCI in poultry farms. Isolation of TCOs for determination of prevalence of the infection was done following standard microbiological protocol. Majority (93.3%) of the farms practiced intensive management system. Farm and individual prevalence of TCI were 78.3% and 19.4% respectively. Prevalence of 15.7% and 23.6% were recorded for birds reared in urban and rural areas respectively. Similarly, prevalent rates of 17.2%, 25%, 14.7% and 24.5% were documented for broiler, layer, male and female birds respectively. Major risk factors of TCI found were non-sanitization of drinking water, rearing birds of different ages together, thinning, raising other animals alongside poultry and overstocking. Farm and individual prevalence of TCI were 78.3% and 19.4% respectively. Prevalence of 15.7% and 23.6% were recorded for birds reared in urban and rural areas respectively. Similarly, prevalent rates of 17.2%, 25%, 14.7% and 24.5% were documented for broiler, layer, male and female birds respectively. The 19.4% overall prevalence is high from public health and food safety points of view. Farmers participation in the risk factors for TCI is massive. Significant improvement in biosecurity practices in poultry farms in the study area is therefore imperative, to limit TCI in poultry and hence the risk of human infection via the food chain or at the poultry-human interface.
Key words: Key words: Biosecurity, Nigeria, poultry, public health, risk factors, thermotolerant Campylobacter infection
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