A trial of biosecurity as a means to control Campylobacter infection of broiler chickens

We ran a controlled intervention trial to assess whether the risk of a broiler flock becoming infected with Campylobacter could be reduced by biosecurity measures. These were a standard method of cleansing and disinfecting the poultry house prior to stocking, and a standard hygiene protocol followed by all personnel who entered the study house during the flock’s life. Thirty-nine flocks were allocated to intervention or control groups in a ratio of 1:2. Intervention flocks were asked to follow the specified biosecurity measures; all flocks were monitored weekly for Campylobacter infection. Analysis of infection at 42 days of age and over the life of the flock showed that the risk of thermophilic Campylobacter infection of broilers was reduced by over 50% in intervention flocks. Parts of the intervention identified as significant in the univariable analysis included twice weekly replenishment of boot dip disinfectant; potential independent risk factors identified included the location of ventilation fans and daily sanitisation of the water supply. The non-random allocation of 10 flocks to the control group may have introduced some study bias (the effect of which is discussed in the paper).