Prevalence of environmental salmonella in Colorado animal shelters

Purpose: Animal shelter animals and workers are a potentially vulnerable population whose exposure to zoonotic diseases may be greater than the general population. Salmonella enterica is an important zoonotic disease and nosocomial infections and epidemics have occurred in animal facilities. The level of Salmonella in shelter animals and shelter environments is unknown. The objective of this project is to estimate the prevalence of environmental Salmonella in animal shelters in Colorado.

Methods: Environmental samples will be collected by electrostatic wipe from select locations throughout the animal shelters using swiffer broomsŪ and cloths. Samples will be collected from: animal intake areas, animal exam areas, animal wards, pediatric and adult animal areas, and animal transport vehicles as well as public access areas such as lobbies and worker areas such as break rooms and/or restrooms. Samples will be tested for Salmonella and compared within shelter to evaluate high and low risk areas, as well as between shelters to evaluate differences in environmental contamination by geographic location, shelter size, shelter type and species. Approximately 40-60 Colorado animal shelters will be sampled.

Results: Preliminary results show two of five (40%) of animal shelters testing positive for environmental contamination with salmonella. Prevalence within shelter samples ranged from 0-25%. All positive samples were from animal, as opposed to human predominant areas.

Conclusion: The study is still in progress. The results of this study may influence and help focus education policy on issues of infection control and zoonotic disease awareness in animal shelters.