Uzbekistan salmonella and campylobacter rates same as in EU

The level of salmonella and campylobacter in poultry and humans in Uzbekistan is on a par with that found in European Union countries, according to a recent study. 

The survey was conducted within the framework of the biennial collaborative agreement for 2014–2015 between World Health Organization (WHO)/Europe and Uzbekistan, with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the WHO Advisory Group on Integrated Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance providing financial support.

All laboratory tests were performed at the bacteriological laboratory of Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology, Microbiology and Communicable Diseases (SRIEMCD).

The survey was based on 134 healthy poultry samples, and 81 sample from patients with severe intestinal infections between January and May this year. It revealed that 29% of intestinal samples from the healthy poultry were found to be positive for both bacteria, while 9% of the human cases were found to be infected.

The study concluded that poultry would appear to be an important source of both human salmonella and campylobacter infections, and salmonella strains from both humans and poultry are frequently multiresistant. This reflects the use of antibiotics in Uzbekistan poultry production.