A Framework to Reduce Infectious Disease Risk from Urban Poultry in the United States

Abstract

Objectives. Backyard poultry ownership is increasingly common in U.S. cities and is regulated at the local level. Human contact with live poultry is a wellknown risk for infection with zoonotic pathogens, notably Salmonella, yet the ability of local jurisdictions to reduce the risk of infectious disease transmission from poultry to humans is unstudied. We reviewed urban poultry ordinances in the United States and reported Salmonella outbreaks from backyard poultry to identify regulatory gaps in preventing zoonotic pathogen transmission. Based on this analysis, we propose regulatory guidelines for U.S. cities to reduce infectious disease risk from backyard poultry ownership.Methods. We assessed local ordinances in the 150 most populous U.S. jurisdictions for content related to noncommercial poultry ownership using online resources and communications with government officials. We also performed a literature review using publicly available data sources to identify human infectious disease outbreaks caused by contact with backyard poultry.Results. Of the cities reviewed, 93% (n139) permit poultry in some capacity. Most urban poultry ordinances share common characteristics focused on reducing nuisance to neighbors. Ordinances do not address many pathways of transmission relevant to poultry-to-human transmission of pathogens, such as manure management.Conclusions. To reduce the risk of pathogen exposure from backyard poultry, urban ordinances should incorporate the following seven components: limited flock size, composting of manure in sealed containers, prohibition of slaughter, required veterinary care to sick birds, appropriate disposal of dead birds, annual permits linked to consumer education, and a registry of poultry owners.

Frequent human‐poultry interactions and low prevalence of Salmonella in backyard chicken flocks in Massachusetts

“…The positive isolates obtained in this study came from 3‐month‐old pullets obtained from an online hatchery. This is consistent with reports that link the majority of poultry‐associated Salmonella outbreaks to hatcheries (Tobin et al, ). Chicks are often exposed to Salmonella in hatcheries and younger birds are innately more susceptible to pathogens than older birds (Bailey et al, ).…”

“…Flocks also have a positive impact on community building with over 75% of owners agreeing with statements that their flocks enhance their family's and neighbourhood's sense of community (Table 7). reports that link the majority of poultry-associated Salmonella outbreaks to hatcheries (Tobin et al, 2015). Chicks are often exposed to Salmonella in hatcheries and younger birds are innately more susceptible to pathogens than older birds (Bailey et al, 2001).…”

“…Increased interest in backyard chicken (BYC) ownership has been spurred nationally by the growing trend of consuming locally sourced foods, preferences for improving animal welfare and environmental sustainability during food production and increased interest in maintaining hobby farms (Tobin, Goldshear, Price, Graham, & Leibler, ). Growth of BYC ownership has likely increased human contact with poultry and subsequently, human contact with the pathogen Salmonella , a well‐known poultry commensal (Humphrey, ).…”

The occurrence of Salmonella, extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase producing Escherichia coli and carbapenem resistant non‐fermenting Gram‐negative bacteria in a backyard poultry flock environment

“…Unlike commercial poultry production, the biosecurity practices are not routinely monitored, enforced or regulated in the backyard poultry setting (Kauber, Fowler, Lipton, Meschke, & Rabinowitz, 2017;Madsen, Zimmermann, Timmons, & Tablante, 2013;Pollock, 2016;Tobin, Goldshear, Price, Graham, & Leibler, 2015). Small-scale backyard poultry producers face additional challenges including inadequate preventive medicine services and limited access to veterinary care.…”

Preharvest Salmonella Risk Contamination and the Control Strategies

“…Dead animals should be disposed into a secured container, which is regularly washed and disinfected. Burying, composting, incineration, and dropping off at designated sites are the most commonly recommended and utilized methods for carcass disposed [58].…”