Large grazing birds as a potential source of salmonella and shigatoxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in the food chain

Populations of geese, cranes  and swans have expanded in Sweden and cause significant crop damage. Wild birds can carry pathogenic bacteria and therefore pose a potential threat of introduction of such bacteria into the food chain when they graze on fields. In this pilot project we will analyse samples from large grazing birds for the presence of salmonella and shigatoxigenic E. coli (STEC), two of the most common bacteria causing severe gastrointestinal disease in humans. Any bacteria found will be whole-genome sequenced and compared to previous findings from animal feed, animals and humans in Sweden and other countries.