A new study from the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research at the University of Oxford says industrial poultry farming has dramatically increased the spread of Campylobacter, one of the leading causes of foodborne illness. The researchers report that the movement of the bacteria has risen by more than 100-fold alongside modern poultry production.
The study suggests that strains of Campylobacter that once circulated mainly in wild birds are now able to move far more easily through industrial poultry systems. That change points to large-scale chicken production as a major pathway helping the bacteria spread across bird populations and into the food chain.
The findings add to concerns about how intensive animal farming can change the way infectious organisms travel. When production systems connect huge numbers of birds across farms and supply networks, bacteria that were once more limited in range may gain many more opportunities to circulate.
Researchers say the work highlights the role of farming practices in shaping the risks of foodborne disease. By linking the rise of industrial poultry farming to the faster movement of Campylobacter, the study gives public health experts another reason to focus on poultry production when looking for ways to reduce infection.
