Seasonal influence on the prevalence of thermotolerant Campylobacter in retail broiler meat in Denmark

In Denmark, the incidence of human campylobacteriosis cases, as well as the Campylobacter prevalence in broiler flocks, is strongly influenced by season with a summer peak in July-August. Therefore, it was considered that the prevalence of Campylobacter in broiler meat sold at retail in Denmark might also be influenced by season. A retrospective survey analysis was performed on 2001-2007 national surveillance data of the prevalence of thermotolerant Campylobacter in all conventional broiler flocks at slaughter, and in randomly sampled broiler meat at retail. There was a significant effect of season on the occurrence of Campylobacter in meat at retail; the largest effect was found for domestic chilled meat. Thus, the Campylobacter prevalence in Danish broiler flocks, which fluctuated with season, was found to be a strong predictor for the occurrence of Campylobacter in fresh, chilled, Danish broiler meat. However, besides flock prevalence, there was also a direct effect of season on the occurrence of Campylobacter in Danish broiler meat at retail.