Cases of Salmonella found in chickens across Great Britain fell by more than a quarter in 2024, according to new government data.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) recorded 1,961 Salmonella cases from chickens last year, down 25.5% from 2023 when the highest levels in over a decade were reported.
The report noted the decline follows years of disruption from Avian Influenza outbreaks, which forced farms to tighten biosecurity.
Most cases were detected through statutory surveillance programmes, with voluntary testing playing a minimal role. In 2024, 34 different strains of Salmonella were identified, though just four accounted for the majority of cases.
The most common strain was Salmonella Idikan, responsible for more than a third of all isolations. Other leading strains including S. Kedougou, S. Montevideo, and S. Mbandaka all fell compared with 2023, with S. Montevideo nearly halving.
Some rarer strains, such as S. Kentucky, S. Newport, and S. Muenchen, showed small increases, while S. Enteritidis rose slightly to 12 cases. Authorities also confirmed the first detection of S. Chester in British chickens.
Under the UK’s National Control Programmes, every chicken flock testing positive for Salmonella is tracked to help protect food safety and public health.