Epidemiological factors and the risk associated with the occurrence of Salmonella typhimurium in bovine population

The Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium is one of the leading causes of zoonotic food-borne gastroenteritis. Cattle serve as intermittent faecal shedders, posing a significant risk for contamination of the food supply chain and farm premises. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and epidemiological risk factors associated with S. typhimurium in bovine faeces in the Namakkal region, Tamil Nadu. Rectal swabs from hundred bovines were collected and polymerase chain reaction was performed. The host and management risk factors were assessed using Chi-square test, logistic regression analysis and relative risk assessment using forest tree analysis. The prevalence of S. typhimurium was found to be 1.0%. The prevalence with RR of S. typhimurium was higher in Kangeyam breed (8.33%, 20.5), and age 6 to 12 months (9.09%, 22.5). However, statistically there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the prevalence and the causal association with respect to all factors (p>0.05). This study highlighted that diarrhoeic animals, aged between 6 to 12 months under poor farm managemental practices were potential carriers and effective surveillance with improved farm management aids in mitigation of zoonotic transmission.