US Salmonella ranking published
Figures on the incidence and ranking of Salmonella in the USA in 2012 were published recently by FoodNet . The report ranks on Salmonella isolates by serotype. S. Enteritidis led with 1,238 cases representing an incidence rate of 2.16 cases per 100,000 population.
The next in rank were S. Typhimurium (1.92/100,000), S. Newport (1.90), and S. Javiana (1.56). The six other serotypes including S. Heidelberg and S. Saintpaul completed the top ten with a collective average value of 0.44 per 100,000 population and a range of 0.34 to 0.70. In reviewing selected Salmonella outbreak investigations, the most recent series of cases attributed to eggs was the single extensive 2010 outbreak associated with the DeCoster family farms in Iowa.
A range of vehicles were identified in foodborne outbreaks in 2011, 2012 and the current year, including poultry meat, ground beef, green produce, cantaloupes and mangoes. A number of cases were attributed to contact with live chicks from hatcheries supplying the backyard and pet market as well as pet frogs and turtles.
Unfortunately FoodNet is reporting cases in summaries which are not associated with food since this creates the impression that food borne salmonellosis remains at high levels. It is significant that prior to the DeCoster outbreak in 2010, there were no major incidents associated with shell eggs from 2006 onwards.
Source: www.egg-cite.com
