April 17, 2008

UK scientists find free-range chickens at no increased infection risk

Scientists have discovered that free-range environment is not a major source for campylobacter jejuni infection in chickens.

It had been believed that free-range chickens were susceptible to campylobacter as they are not protected from outdoor sources of infection, particularly from the wild birds, but a new research by Oxford University scientists have proven otherwise.

If bacteria were spread from wild birds to free-range chickens, they should be sharing genetically similar bacteria but the research suggests differently, according to Martin Maiden of Oxford University's Department of Zoology who led the research.

Maiden added that this is positive news as it means that not being able implement extensive biosecurity to free-range poultry is probably not the threat to human health that had been feared.

A total of 975 chickens from 64 flocks were sampled, and wild bird populations in concerning areas were studied over a period of 10 months for the research.

Campylobacter jejuni-contaminated chicken meat is a major cause of food poisoning in humans, responsible for about 340,000 cases in the UK every year. This has led to increased biosecurity measures that attempt to limit infection of chickens in intensively, housed conditions.