Survey of Salmonella enterica in Wildlife in and around Cattle Farms in Hokkaido, Japan

Abstract

We investigated the prevalence of Salmonella enterica in 267 rodents, 208 raccoons, 9 red foxes, 208 crows, 9 sparrows, and 5 feral pigeons in and around cattle farms in Hokkaido. Their intestine contents and foot surfaces were tested using culture method. Salmonella was isolated from 14 crows (6.7%) and 11 raccoons (5.2%). The isolates were serotyped into Infantis (crows), Thompson, Agona, O4 : i : - (raccoons), Braenderup, and Typhimurium (crows and raccoons). These results suggested that wildlife is capable of being a source of Salmonella infection in cattle.