Salmonella Vaccine Could Make Eggs Safer

Hundreds of millions of eggs have been recalled because of salmonella contamination. Before the recall, thousands of people had suffered with fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain caused by this infection. Many of them will be disappointed to learn they might have been spared if farmers had given their chickens a low-cost vaccine. The widespread use of such vaccines in Great Britain has resulted in very low rates of salmonella in British eggs. Not all poultry scientists are convinced this is the solution to the problem, but some American egg producers who have adopted the vaccine report good results. Good hygiene in the hen houses is also critical for keeping chickens and their eggs free of infection.