Microbiological Air Contamination in Poultry Houses

Since intensive poultry production is accompanied by as high as possible densities of birds within buildings, this exposes poultry house workers to elevated concentrations of bioaerosol that is mainly emitted by birds. Exposure to dust containing pathogenic microbial and parasitic agents may cause asthma, asthma-like syndrome, mucous membrane irritation, chronic bronchitis, and allergic alveolitis organic dust toxic syndrome, as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Since the microbial air pollution data base of poultry houses is insufficient at present, and poultry production is increasingly widespread, it is important to collect, compare and update the available data.