Outbreak Investigation in Chicken Farms at Bishoftu and Ejere Towns, Central Ethiopia

Umer AA and Mezgebu E

Published on: 2023-08-28

Abstract

Salmonella species and Escherichia coli (E. coli) are cause salmonellosis and colibacillosis in chickens respectively. Poultry outbreak cases occurred in Bishoftu and Ejere town from June to July 2023. This case is aimed to assess E. coli and Salmonella isolates and antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) from poultry farms. During the investigation, chickens showed clinical signs of sudden death, loss of appetite, ruffled feathers, droopiness, sneezing, yellow diarrhea, huddling of chicks, dehydration, and morbidity were observed.  A post-mortem examination was conducted on the chicks and alterations and gross lesions including livers were swollen and the Ischemic lobe, soft, congested, and revealed bronze discoloration and hyperemic spleen was observed. A total of 8 pooled tissue samples: four from each (Bishoftu and Ejere) towns were collected. Bacteriological and Omni log identification procedures were used to isolate and confirm the bacterium. Following that, antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed on confirmed isolates. Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp have been isolated from kidney, spleen, liver and intestine samples with each pathogen having a 75% occurrence. In Bishoftu and Ejere the frequency of Salmonella spp was 0 % (0/4), and 75% (3/4) respectively, while that of E. coli was 25% (1/4) and 50% (2/4) respectively. AST to Salmonella spp showed resistance towards Streptomycin (S; 10 μg), whereas it was susceptible to antimicrobials including Tetracycline (TE; 30 μg), Norfloxacin (NOR; 10 μg), Amoxicillin clavulanate (AMC; 30 μg), Ceftriaxone (CRO; 300 μg), Ampicillin (AMP; 10 μg), Meropenem (MEM; 10μg), Sulfonamides (S3; 300), Ciprofloxacin (CIP 5; μg) respectively. The resistance was recorded towards both pathogens; Tetracycline (TE; 30 μg) for E. coli and Streptomycin (S; 10 μg) for Salmonella Gallinarum. This outbreak-finding would certainly assist chicken farm owners to select appropriate antibiotics against colibacillosis and salmonellosis diseases. This work also demonstrated a high prevalence of Salmonella spp. and E. coli in Ejere chicken farms. This could be due to less biosecurity implementation, less farm management, and inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents in these farms. Strong Biosecurity measures and hygiene should be very essential in chicken farms for prevention and control of these diseases