REVIEW ARTICLE

The Influence of the Housing System on Salmonella Infections in Laying Hens: A Review

  1. S. Van Hoorebeke1,
  2. F. Van Immerseel2,
  3. F. Haesebrouck2,
  4. R. Ducatelle2,
  5. J. Dewulf1

Article first published online: 28 SEP 2010

DOI: 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2010.01372.x

Issue

Zoonoses and Public Health

Zoonoses and Public Health

Volume 58, Issue 5, pages 304–311, August 2011

Additional Information

How to Cite

Van Hoorebeke, S., Van Immerseel, F., Haesebrouck, F., Ducatelle, R. and Dewulf, J. (2011), The Influence of the Housing System on Salmonella Infections in Laying Hens: A Review. Zoonoses and Public Health, 58: 304–311. doi: 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2010.01372.x

Author Information

  1. 1

     Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium

  2. 2

     Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium

*S. Van Hoorebeke. Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium. Tel.: +32 9 264 75 48; Fax: +32 9 264 75 34; E-mail: sebastiaan.vanhoorebeke@ugent.be

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 10 JUL 2011
  2. Article first published online: 28 SEP 2010
  3. Received for publication August 11, 2010

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Keywords:

  • Laying hens;
  • Salmonella;
  • housing system

Summary

From 2012 onwards, housing of laying hens in conventional battery cages will be forbidden in the European Union and only enriched cages and non-cage housing systems such as aviaries, floor-raised, free-range and organic systems will be allowed. Although this ban aims at improving the welfare of laying hens, it has also initiated the question whether there are any adverse consequences of this decision, especially with respect to the spread and/or persistence of zoonotic agents in a flock. A zoonotic agent that is traditionally associated with the consumption of eggs and egg products is Salmonella enteritidis. This paper provides a summary of the current knowledge regarding the direct and indirect effects of different housing systems on the occurrence and epidemiology of Salmonella in laying hen flocks.

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