A survey of Campylobacter species in broiler chicken sold in Kampala markets, Uganda

Abstract

The survey was conducted to establish the presence and extent of contamination of Campylobacter species in broiler chicken sold in Kampala. One hundred (100) samples of market broiler chickens were randomly collected from supermarkets, local markets, butcheries, and a poultry-processing plant in and around Kampala. Presence of Campylobacter species in the samples was determined using direct plating technique onto Campylobacter selective media containing Cefoperazone. Campylobacter species were isolated from 89 of 100 samples (89%) of which 11% were from birds collected from supermarkets, 18% from local markets, 20% from butcheries and 40% from a processing plant.

There is therefore need for intervention measures to reduce these levels of contamination in order to protect the public against campylobacterosis. These would include among others, education of the public and institution of good manufacturing practices in processing plants.