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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Athens, Georgia » U.S. National Poultry Research Center » Poultry Microbiological Safety and Processing Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #421822
Research Project: Alternatives to Antibiotics and Genomics of Antimicrobial Resistance to Control Foodborne Pathogens in Poultry

Location: Poultry Microbiological Safety and Processing Research Unit

Title: Salmonellosis in cattle: sources and risk of infection, control and prevention

Author
item BENTUM, KINGSLEY - Tuskegee University
item KUUFIRE, EMMANUEL - Tuskegee University
item NYARKU, REJOICE - Tuskegee University
item OSEI, VIONA - Tuskegee University
item PRICE, STUART - Auburn University
item BOURASSA, DIANNA - Auburn University
item SAMUEL, TEMESGEN - Tuskegee University
item Jackson, Charlene
item ABEBE, WOUBIT - Tuskegee University

Submitted to: Zoonotic Diseases
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/6/2025
Publication Date: 2/12/2025
Citation: Bentum, K., Kuufire, E., Nyarku, R., Osei, V., Price, S., Bourassa, D., Samuel, T., Jackson, C.R., Abebe, W. 2025. Salmonellosis in cattle: sources and risk of infection, control and prevention. Zoonotic Diseases. 2025, 5, 4. https://doi.org/10.3390/zoonoticdis5010004.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/zoonoticdis5010004

Interpretive Summary: Salmonellosis continues to be an important disease in humans, with possible sources of infection from animals such as cattle. The slaughtering of already infected animals originating from contaminated farms is a major source of human Salmonella infection. This review discusses the various sources by which the Salmonella bacterium is introduced into cattle populations and the measures to reduce or contain the disease on farms. Finally, a holistic call is made to all stakeholders in cattle production to play their part in limiting Salmonella infection on farms. This review will provide important information to the cattle industry and veterinarians on interventions that can help reduce cattle exposure to Salmonella and the containment of existing infections among herds.

Technical Abstract: Salmonellosis in humans is a public health threat and cattle are an important reservoir for the pathogen. Cattle products such as ground beef have been linked to human salmonellosis outbreaks, and some disease investigations have even been traced back to infected animal herds on farms and animal markets as the origin of such infections. It is now common to isolate Salmonella from many cattle operations as the pathogen once introduced onto a farm can establish an undesirable endemic condition among herds. It is, therefore, essential to adopt measures to mitigate or prevent the introduction and spread of zoonotic disease agents like Salmonella in animal populations. The potential sources and risks of Salmonella infection in cattle, the control of already established infection, and other preventive measures are discussed in this article. For a holistic approach to safeguarding public health, it will be essential to consider the farm as a critical control point in preventing the introduction of Salmonella into the food chain.