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Page No. : 101-106

ABSTRACT

Campylobacter risk management in swine production system starts at farm level in order to reduce downstream dissemination of Campylobacter spp. The present investigation was undertaken to determine the occurrence of Campylobacter spp. and comparative assessment of biosecurity measures between two swine production facilities in Thrissur district, Kerala. A total of 505 samples were collected from two pig farms (F1 and F2). Samples consisted of piglet rectal swabs (zero to tenth week), sow and boar rectal swabs, faecal samples from pigs, wild birds droppings, dog rectal swabs, human faecal samples, feed, water, water from wallowing tank, soil, hand swabs and foot swabs. Higher occurrence of Campylobacter spp. was recorded from F1 (33.3 per cent) when compared to F2 (21.70 per cent). Higher occurrence of Campylobacter spp. was noticed in pigs (37.5 percent), house crows and egrets (30 per cent), workers hand swabs and foot swabs after operations (40 per cent) and food waste mixed with raw chicken waste (20 per cent) from F1. Lower occurrence was noticed in F2, with pigs and crows having an occurrence of 20 per cent. Higher occurrence of Campylobacter spp. was noticed from environmental samples obtained from F2 with an occurrence of 20 per cent from wallowing tank water and soil samples while F1 had an occurrence of 16 per cent. Improper biosecurity measures has led to cross-contamination in F1 where there was no barrier separating wild birds and farm environment which aided in infection with Campylobacter spp. in F1. In F2, proper housing and established barriers prevented cross-transmission among animals, even though the pigs and crows were carrying organism in F2. Thus proper implementation of biosecurity measures and bio containment in swine production systems will reduce the risk of Campylobacter infections and promote food safety through farm to fork concept.

Keywords: Biosecurity measures Campylobacter spp., pig farm, swine production facilities