Risk assessment of Campylobacter in the Netherlands via broiler meat and other routes

Each year numerous people get ill due to the Campylobacter bacterium. Research within the CARMA project aims to advise the Dutch government on dealing with this problem. This report first describes the possible sources of human exposure to campylobacter in the Netherlands. Next to poultry meat, direct contact with (pet and farm) animals and the consumption of raw and undercooked food are identified as important sources. Broiler meat may be the source of many cases of campylobacteriosis. A mathematical model is built to gain insight in the presence and transmission of campylobacter through the broiler meat production chain, from farm to fork. The model is used to assess the effects of interventions to control campylobacter and to reduce the incidence of campylobacteriosis. It shows that a combined approach is promising: reduction of the prevalence of colonised birds and lowering of the numbers of campylobacters in the faeces and on the broiler meat. This may be achieved by further improvement of farm hygiene, reducing faecal leakage during processing and decontamination of the carcasses with lactate. Implementation of these interventions may result in a considerable public health profit. It is not possible to guarantee fresh campylobacter free broiler meat, unless the meat is irradiated. To select the most effective interventions, economic and social aspects are included in the analysis. This is described in other reports written within the CARMA project