Validation of bulk tank milk sampling strategies and identification of risk factors for Salmonella Dublin in dairies

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Salmonella Dublin is an emerging pathogen in cattle and humans in the province of Québec since 2011. It causes production losses, illness, and death in dairy cattle and can lead to serious illness in humans. Milk pasteurization is an efficient method for controlling this pathogen in dairy products and, thus, identifying dairy herds infected with S. Dublin is of tremendous importance to ensure that milk from infected herds are not used for production of raw-milk products. Moreover, identifying risk factors leading to introduction of this infection in dairies could help better control this disease. Currently, however, we do not have a diagnostic test that could be used to determined without error if a dairy is infected. The aim of this research is to develop a diagnostic strategy based on the use of multiple imperfect diagnostic tests, conducted at different intervals on bulk milk, a media that is readily collected and available on all dairies in Québec and Canada. The economic and diagnostic efficiency of the different sampling strategies will be compared. Finally, the risk factors that could potentially lead to acquisition of Salmonella Dublin infection in dairies will be identified, so that dairy producers can better prevent introduction of this disease in their herd.