Low occurrence of spp. in wild birds from a Swiss rehabilitation centre.

Background: are bacteria of the family with a wide host range. Infection in birds causes subclinical disease to mass mortality events. Wild birds may act as healthy carriers posing a hazard to livestock and humans. The present study investigated the occurrence of in wild birds admitted to a rehabilitation centre in order to assess the exposure of the staff to this zoonotic pathogen.

Methods: Faecal swabs of 552 avian patients (68 species) were collected over the course of 12 months. Each sample was propagated in enrichment broth and subsequently incubated on a RAPID' plate.  isolates were serotyped, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed.

Results: Six subsp. serovar Typhimurium (. Typhimurium) and 1 . Schleissheim were detected; all were pansusceptible to the antibiotics tested.

Conclusion: Despite the low positive rate in the tested population, the authors recommend applying protective equipment and hygiene measures when handling wild birds.