Poultrymed | Infectious Diseases 2019

FDA: warning about Listeria-tainted hard boiled eggs

28.12.2019

Several companies posted recalls because of a Listeria outbreak traced to peeled hard boiled eggs - hard boiled eggs sold at retailers including Walmart, Kroger, Trader Joe’s and Costco. Eggland’s Best brand is also involved. Recalls have included a variety of products, ranging from egg salad prepared and sold under the Trader Joe’s brand to Great American Deli vending machine sandwiches. The secondary recalls such as these involve products made with recalled Almark Foods bulk hard boiled eggs eggs.

Antibiotic resistance threats in the USA

19.12.2019

CDC’s Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2019 (2019 AR Threats Report) includes the latest national death and infection estimates that underscore the continued threat of antibiotic resistance in the U.S. According to the report, more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur in the U.S. each year, and more than 35,000 people die as a result. Dedicated prevention and infection control efforts in the U.S. are working to reduce the number of infections and deaths caused by antibiotic-resistant germs, but the number of people facing antibiotic resistance is still too high. More action is needed to fully protect people. CDC is concerned about rising resistant infections in the community, which can put more people at risk, make spread more difficult to identify and contain, and threaten the progress made to protect patients in healthcare. The emergence and spread of new forms of resistance remains a concern.

CDC: deadly outbreak traced to hard-boiled egg production plant

19.12.2019

CDC is concerned that bulk, fresh hard-boiled eggs produced by Almark Foods of Gainesville, Georgia, are contaminated with Listeria and have made people sick. These products were packaged in plastic pails for use nationwide by food service operators. These products have not been recalled, Almark Foods is voluntarily recalling the product. The CDC is warning against selling, serving, or using these eggs to make other food products. Retailers and food service operators should know who supplies their bulk hard-boiled eggs.

EU: foodborne outbreak illnesses and deaths in 2018

17.12.2019

The European Food Safety Authority and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control presents the results of zoonoses monitoring activities carried out in 2018 in 36 European countries (28 Member States (MS) and 8 non-MS). The first and second most commonly reported zoonoses in humans were campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis, respectively. The European Union (EU) trend for confirmed human cases of these two diseases was stable during 2014–2018. The proportion of human salmonellosis cases due to Salmonella Enteritidis was at the same level in 2018 as in 2017. Of the 27 reporting MS, 16 met all Salmonella reduction targets for poultry, whereas 11 MS failed meeting at least one. The EU flock prevalence of target Salmonella serovars in breeding hens, laying hens, broilers and fattening turkeys decreased during recent years but stalled in breeding turkeys.

H5 in Suffolk - UK

11.12.2019

H5N3 Low pathogenic avian influenza has been confirmed at a commercial poultry farm in Athelington - Suffolk. A drop in egg production was notice in the flock. The affected flock comprised 27,000 broiler breeders, which had been in lay for 45 weeks. All birds will be culled.

Prevalence of Campylobacter in retail chicken in three Australian states

07.12.2019

Journal of Food Protection (2019) Vol. 82(12):2126–2134

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and distribution of Campylobacter species in a variety of fresh and frozen meat and offal products collected from retail outlets in New South Wales (NSW), Queensland (Qld), and Victoria (Vic). A total of 1,490 chicken, beef, lamb, and pork samples were collected from Australian supermarkets and butcher shops over a 2-year sampling period (October 2016 to October 2018). Campylobacter spp. were detected in 90% of chicken meat and 73% of chicken offal products (giblet and liver), with significantly lower prevalence in lamb (38%), pork (31%), and beef (14%) offal (kidney and liver). Although retail chicken meat was frequently contaminated with Campylobacter, the level of contamination was generally low.

Bulgaria: Chicken meat infected with salmonella from Poland

06.12.2019

At least 100 tons of chicken infected with salmonella has reached the Bulgarian market. Some of the meat, imported from Poland, has been seized and so far there are no reporters of consumers infected with salmonella. Poland is the major producer of poultry meat in the European Union. the majority of poultry meat exports are directed to the internal EU market.

Japan: > 8,000 deaths related to drug-resistant bacteria in 2017

06.12.2019

More than 8,000 people in Japan are estimated to have died due to two major antibiotic-resistant bacteria in 2017, a new research said. The first survey conducted on a national level regarding the number of fatalities revealed the serious impact of the bacteria, which are feared to be spreading fast as a result of the overuse of antibiotics on people and animals, and underscored the need for Japan to use the drugs more appropriately. The researchers the Center Hospital of the National Center for Global Health and Medicine collected data on patients with bacteremia caused by two commonly detected antibiotic-resistant bacteria -- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and fluoroquinolone-resistant salmonella. Using the data provided by medical institutions, the team estimated the annual number of deaths hovered around 7,400 and 8,100 between 2011 and 2017.

H5N6 in Nigeria

02.12.2019

The H5N6 strain of avian influenza has been confirmed for the first time in Africa, Nigeria. The strain is low-pathogenic and it was confirmed at a livestock market.

The cause of wooden breast syndrome

24.11.2019

Scientific Reports - 2019

University of Delaware researchers have discovered that lipoprotein lipase, an enzyme crucial for fat metabolism, may be contributing to wooden breast (WB) syndrome in broiler chickens. The researchers have identified gene expression irregularities at the onset of wooden breast syndrome that suggest the disease is a metabolic disorder characterized by abnormal fat accumulation in the breast muscle tissue.The expression of lipoprotein lipase was higher in chickens affected with wooden breast syndrome, leading more fat to accumulate in the chicken's pectoral (or breast) muscles. Lipoprotein lipase serves as a "metabolic gatekeeper" that determines how much fat is allowed inside a given tissue.

Current status of Campylobacter food poisoning in Japan

09.11.2019

Food Safety (2019) Vol 7(3): 61-73

Although the epidemiological data compiled by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) are based on passive surveillance, the number of incidents caused by C. jejuni/coli has increased since 1997, and those incidents have remained the most commonly occurring bacterial foodborne infection since 2003, replacing Vibrio parahaemolytics and Salmonella spp. which had previously been the major bacteria responsible for food poisoning in Japan. Although in 2006 the number of cases of Campylobacter food poisoning was 3,439 on the basis of the MHLW statistics, it was estimated to be 1,545,363 on the basis of active surveillance, suggesting that passive surveillance yields an incidence about 450 times lower than that revealed by active surveillance.

Israeli Turkey Meningoencephalytis (TME) in South Africa

06.11.2019

EID: Vol 25, Number 12 - December 2019

South African researchers reports an outbreak of Israeli Turkey Meningo-Encephalytis in pheasants in Pretoria. Israel is the only country that produce a vaccine against the disease. The vaccine was developed by Prof Ianconescu, and it is an injectable live vaccine. The disease was first diagnosed by Prof Komarov in 1958 in Israel. The disease is characterised by progressive paralysis associated with meningo-encephalytis. The South African report is a case in pheasants imported from Belgium to South Africa.

A systematic review of source attribution of human campylobacteriosis - MLST

02.11.2019

ECDC: Volume 24, Issue 43, 24/Oct/2019

Campylobacter gastroenteritis is a leading cause of acute bacterial gastroenteritis in high, low, and middle income countries. The number of confirmed cases has continued to increase across countries of the European Union (214,000 in 2013 to 246,000 in 2016 and 2017), and over 800,000 cases are estimated to occur annually in the United States. In low income countries Campylobacter is increasingly implicated in growth faltering among children under 2 years of age. Chicken products have been identified as an important risk factor for human infection by a variety of techniques including natural experiments, case–control studies, and increasingly by the application of genotypic methods. Other infection sources identified by observational epidemiological studies include cattle, sheep, pigs, wild birds and the environment.

Iceland - Suspected salmonella in chicken

17.10.2019

The Food Agency warns against the consumption of certain fresh chicken from Reykjagardi sold under the labels of Holta, Kjarfugl and the Crown, due to suspicion of salmonella in two batches. The distribution of the chicken has been halted and the summons is in progress. All of the chickens in question have come from Reykjagarður, and are sold under the brand names Holta, Kjörfugl and Krónan.

USA: Psittacosis outbreak among workers at chicken slaughter plants

17.10.2019

Emerging Infectious Diseases Vol. 25, No. 11, November 2019

During August–October, 2018, an outbreak of severe respiratory illness was reported among poultry slaughter plant workers in Virginia and Georgia, USA. Psittacosis results from inhalation of aerosolized droppings or respiratory secretions of birds infected with Chlamydia psittaci. During 2008–2017, a total of 60 cases of psittacosis, a nationally notifiable disease in the United States, were reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System. The most recent large poultry-associated outbreaks in the United States were reported 3 decades ago and were linked to turkeys. During August 31 - September 4, 2018, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) received reports of 10 persons, all workers at the same chicken slaughter plant, hospitalized with fever, headache, cough, and radiographic evidence of pneumonia. Lower respiratory tract specimens from 3 hospitalized workers were positive for C. psittaci by real-time PCR. The Virginia plant suspended operations on September 8. On S

France: Avian influenza on duck farm

12.10.2019

France has detected a low-pathogenic H5 avian influenza virus on a duck farm, bred for hunting, in the center of the country.

Health Canada update on salmonella outbreak

05.10.2019

Health Canada announced an outbreak of Salmonella (Salmonella Reading) illnesses linked to raw turkey and raw chicken. This update reflects 14 illnesses that have been added to the outbreak investigation. There are now 110 illnesses under investigation, Thirty-two individuals have been hospitalized. One individual has died. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has not issued any food recall warnings related to this outbreak. Based on the investigation findings to date, exposure to raw turkey and raw chicken products has been identified as the likely source of the outbreak. Many of the individuals who became sick reported eating different types of turkey and chicken products before their illnesses occurred. The outbreak appears to be ongoing, as recent illnesses continue to be reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Listeria: recalls of chicken products continue

04.10.2019

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) continues to update its list of companies that issued recalls over concerns of contaminated meat due to Listeria monocytogenes. Tip Top Poultry, based in Marietta, Georgia, recalled an undetermined amount of ready-to-eat (RTE) poultry products produced at its Rockmart, Georgia, plant suspected of being adulterated. CFIA also recalled frozen chicken products from Scarborough, Ontario-based DD Poultry. Its Glacial Treasure brand was removed due to possible Listeria contamination.

Norway: Campylobacter risk factors in broilers

01.10.2019

Campylobacteriosis is currently the most commonly reported bacterial infectious disease in the Norwegian human population. In almost half of the cases, the infection is acquired in Norway. Consumption of poultry meat purchased raw has been identified as a significant risk factor in Norway, together with drinking un-disinfected water, eating at barbecues, occupational exposure to animals, and eating undercooked pork. A study in 2018 on broiler flocks older than 50 days of age at slaughter, showed that 43.3% of the flocks tested positive for Campylobacter jejuni when sampled at slaughter. Caecal material from 104 broiler flocks slaughtered at three different slaughterhouses during the period May through October was tested by cultivation. Campylobacter jejuni was the only Campylobacter sp. detected.

Zoonoses and zoonotic agents in Austria - report 2018

29.09.2019

The most common zoonotic infectious diseases in humans in Austria are currently infections with the diarrhoea pathogens Campylobacter and Salmonella, which are mainly ingested via food. Salmonella In 2018, 1,533 lab-confirmed cases were reported to the Epidemiological Reporting System that corresponds to an incidence of 17.4 cases per 100,000 population. Thus, Salmonella was the second most common cause of bacterial food poisoning in Austria, after Campylobacter. From 2002 to 2016, the number of salmonellosis cases dropped by 83 %. This decline in salmonellosis was achieved solely through a decrease in S. Enteritidis infections (2002: 7,459 primary isolates; 2016: 671 isolates). In 2017, salmonellosis cases increased and the augmented cases recorded (878 cases) could mainly be attributed to an increase in cases of serovar S. Enteritidis.

Dubai closes restaurant after 15 affected by salmonella outbreak

27.09.2019

Source: Gulf Business

Dubai Municipality has shut down a restaurant in Jumeirah after 15 people fell ill following an outbreak of salmonella infection, local media reported .An initial investigation revealed that the outbreak was likely caused by raw eggs served in a hollandaise sauce. Officials received a report that several people, including a child, fell sick with symptoms such as diarrhea, fever and vomiting after eating at the restaurant. They collected samples and conducted tests following which they found that the chef had used raw eggs - in violation of the food safety rules.

Salmonella outbreak in a Belgian school

25.09.2019

A Salmonella outbreak that sickened almost 200 people at a Belgian school was likely caused by eggs used to make a tartare sauce. The Agency for Care and Health (Zorg en Gezondheid) and Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) investigation detected Salmonella in the freshly prepared tartare sauce. About 200 students and teachers from the school became ill from Sept. 6 onward. Laboratory analyses of stool samples revealed students and teachers had been affected by Salmonella. The online survey showed the tartar sauce made from eggs was the most likely source of the outbreak.

FSA issues precautionary egg safety and handling advice concerning one flock code

24.09.2019

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued precautionary egg safety and handling advice to consumers in relation to a limited number of British Lion Eggs with flock code 1UK11871 and three best before dates because a very small number of these eggs may be contaminated with salmonella. Affected eggs can be identified by the unique flock code (1UK11871 - Free range) and the best before date stamped on each egg.

Surveillance for foodborne disease outbreaks United States, 2017: Annual report

23.09.2019

In 2017, 841 foodborne disease outbreaks were reported, resulting in 14,481 illnesses, 827 hospitalizations, 20 deaths, and 14 food product recalls. Norovirus was the most common cause of confirmed, single-etiology outbreaks, accounting for 140 (35%) outbreaks and 4,092 (46%) illnesses. Salmonella was the next most common cause, accounting for 113 (29%) outbreaks and 3,007 (34%) illnesses, followed by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, which caused 19 (5%) outbreaks and 513 (6%) illnesses, and Clostridium perfringens, which caused 19 (5%) outbreaks and 478 (5%) illnesses. Mollusks (41 outbreaks), fish (37), and chicken (23) were the most common single food categories implicated. The most outbreak associated illnesses were from turkey (609 illnesses), fruits (521), and chicken (487).

The BIJ: At least 100 cases of salmonella poisoning from British eggs

22.09.2019

Source: BIJ

At least 100 cases of people have been poisoned after eating British eggs contaminated with one of the most dangerous forms of salmonella, The Bureau of Investigative Journalism can reveal, despite government assurances that the risk had been virtually eliminated. There have been at least 100 cases recorded in the past three years, and 45 since January, in a major outbreak that health officials have traced back to contaminated eggs and poultry farms. Despite outbreaks of this strain occurring for more than three years, the government has issued no public warnings about the safety of hens’ eggs. In 2017, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) told the public that it was safe for vulnerable people, including pregnant women, the elderly and children, to eat raw, runny or soft-boiled eggs.

Taiwan: First H5N5 avian influenza case

16.09.2019

Taiwan has confirmed the country's first case of the highly pathogenic H5N5 strain of avian influenza on a duck farm in Cishan District, Kaohsiung. The H5N5 case was the first in Taiwan but was not the first in Asia. The first H5N5 virus in Asia was detected in China in 2011.

UK: Major retailers publish Campylobacter results for April-June 2019

06.09.2019

The top nine retailers across the UK have today published their latest testing results on campylobacter contamination in UK-produced fresh whole chickens (covering samples tested from April to June 2019). The latest figures show that on average, across the major retailers, 3.6% of chickens tested positive for the highest level of contamination. These are the chickens carrying more than 1,000 colony forming units per gram (cfu/g) of campylobacter.

H7 LPAI in Chile

06.09.2019

Routine tests on 6-week-old fattening turkeys prior to movement at a farm in Valparaiso region on Aug 28 were positive for H7 avian influenza the virus sequencing on Sep 2 suggested a low-pathogenic H7 virus similar to a subtype found in wild birds in 2016. No clinical signs were observed. 67,500 birds were culled and buried at the farm.

The Netherlands: Salmonella in eggs from Spain

01.09.2019

The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) advises not to eat eggs with the 3-ES-4624944A stamp. These eggs were found to be contaminated with salmonella. They were supplied to neighborhood supermarkets, market stalls and catering establishments that may have further processed them into various dishes.

UK: Duck eggs as involved in a Salmonella outbreak

31.08.2019

Doncaster man dies of salmonella after eating duck eggs. There has been a second case of salmonella involving someone who also consumed duck eggs from the same farm. According to his family the duck eggs were bought from the Melton Deli stall at the Messingham Show. Public Health England has confirmed a second case of salmonella in the West Midlands with the same strain type.

Latvia: The EU must monitor Ukrainian egg producers more closely

28.08.2019

The Ministry of agriculture of Latvia called on the Commission to more closely monitor the Ukrainian manufacturers of eggs to protect Latvian consumers from Salmonella. On 8 August, the Minister of agriculture Kaspars Gerhards sent to the EU Commissioner for health and food safety corresponding letter. The letter identifies concerns on four Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) notifications because of Salmonella in egg products imported from Ukrainian company Ovostar Ltd. since April 2019.

USA: Outbreak of Listeria infections

25.08.2019

CDC, several states, and federal partners are investigating a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections. 24 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 13 states. Of 23 ill people with information available, 22 hospitalizations have been reported.Two deaths have been reported. The outbreak strain is a close genetic match to the strain of Listeria monocytogenes that is behind a concurrent Canadian outbreak.

Campylobacter and Salmonella in Switzerland

23.08.2019

According to the 2018 surveillance report of zoonoses and outbreaks of food poisoning, in 2018, campylobacteriosis remained the most frequently recorded zoonosis in humans in Switzerland. 7,675 cases were confirmed by laboratory diagnosis, representing a slight increase over 7,219 cases in the previous year. The peak was reached in July and August, with 2,056 cases due to the summer grilling season and more trips abroad. A second short-term increase during the Christmas and New Year holidays was attributed to consumption of the Swiss version of Chinese fondue. Campylobacter jejuni made up 69 percent of the 5,688 cases were species information was available while Campylobacter coli was responsible for 9 percent. In self-monitoring by the poultry sector, 1,776 analyzes were done on chicken and turkey meat in 2018. Of these, 436 (24.5 percent) were found positive for Campylobacter spp. compared to 27 percent in 2017.

Canada - Updated food recall warning

21.08.2019

The food recall warning issued on August, 18, 2019 has been updated to include additional product information. This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) food safety investigation. Reuven International Ltd is recalling Reuven International Ltd brand Natural Proportion Cooked Chicken Meat (Diced) and Sysco brand Natural Proportions Cooked Shredded Chicken from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Canadian Listeria outbreak blamed on diced chicken imported from USA

19.08.2019

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is investigating seven cases of Listeria monocytogenes infections in three Canadian provinces. As of August 18, 2019, there have been 7 confirmed cases of Listeria monocytogenes illness in three provinces: British Columbia (1), Manitoba (1) and Ontario (5). Individuals became sick between November 2017 and June 2019. Six individuals have been hospitalized. Individuals who became ill are between 51 and 97 years of age. The majority of cases (86%) are female. The source of the outbreak has been traced to a production batch of Rosemount brand cooked diced chicken meat.

Outbreak of Salmonella Hessarek infection associated with eggs in South Australia

16.08.2019

Researchers have reported on a rare Salmonella serotype that caused an outbreak in Australia from 2017 to 2018. Salmonella Hessarek was responsible for 25 infections in South Australia between March 2017 to July 2018 linked to one unnamed brand of eggs which are produced and predominantly sold in the state. A descriptive case series investigation was conducted interviewing all cases and 17 (68%) reported consuming brand X free-range eggs. Four samples of one-dozen brand X eggs were cultured for the presence of Salmonella spp. One out of the four samples returned positive for S. Hessarek in the contents of the eggs; Salmonella was not present in any of the whole egg rinses of the four samples.

Salmonella enteritidis outbreak in Austria

16.08.2019

235 people in Austria have contracted Salmonella Enteritidis with the Multi Locus Variable-Number Tandem Repeat (MLVA) pattern 3-10-5-4-1 since mid-June. The source was identified as eggs from Poland. Authorities in Austria have withdrawn the eggs still in circulation, implicated products have also been recalled by wholesalers and destroyed.

Salmonella contamination in eggs in Western Australia

16.08.2019

International Journal of Food Microbiology (2019)

In recent years, the number of human salmonellosis cases in Western Australia (WA) has increased more dramatically than in any other Australian state. In 2017, the number of cases in WA was more than double the five-year average, and eggs had emerged as the key culprit for several Salmonella foodborne disease outbreaks. To better understand the epidemiology a team of researchers have investigated the prevalence, serovar diversity, multilocus sequence types, and antimicrobial resistance of non-typhoidal Salmonella contamination in retail eggs produced and sold in WA.

Campylobacter levels in British chicken

14.08.2019

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has published the report of the Year 4 survey measuring campylobacter levels in whole, UK-produced, fresh chicken, which took place between August 2017 and July 2018. Samples were collected every quarter but after the first quarter only minor retailers were tested. The UK’s top nine retailers have carried out their own sampling since September 2017. The report found that high level campylobacter contamination in UK chickens has decreased considerably, but remains high in smaller retailers, independents and butchers.

Belgium: Food safety recall

11.08.2019

LDC – SABLE recalls extra-thin turkey breast slices of the Gaulois brand. The recall is following possible salmonella contamination. All products have been removed from sale.

Germany: Infectious disease epidemiology - Annual Report, 2018

10.08.2019

As in the previous year, the gastrointestinal diseases norovirus gastroenteritis, Campylobacter enteritis and rotavirus gastroenteritis and the vaccine-preventable diseases influenza and chicken-pox were the five most commonly reported notifiable diseases. In 2018, a total of 67,872 Campylobacter infections were recorded, which was 2 percent lower than the year before. In 2018, 13,529 salmonellosis infections were recorded. It was the second most notifiable bacterial gastrointestinal disease after Campylobacter.

CDC: multi-state Salmonella outbreaks are linked to 768 cases, 2 deaths

27.07.2019

A total of 768 people infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella have been reported from 48 states. Since June 13, 2019, illnesses in an additional 489 people and eight states have been added to this investigation. 122 (29%) people have been hospitalized and two deaths have been reported, one from Texas and one from Ohio. 156 (24%) illnesses occurred among children younger than 5 years.Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicate that contact with backyard poultry, such as chicks and ducklings, from multiple hatcheries are the likely source of these outbreaks.

Salmonellosis outbreaks in the USA, 1998 to 2015

20.07.2019

Snyder et al (2019) Journal of Food Protection, Vol. 82, No. 7, 2019, Pages 1191–1199

Salmonella is a major cause of foodborne illness in the United States. A group of researchers from Pennsylvania, USA obtained data for salmonellosis outbreaks from 1998 to 2015 that were submitted by public health jurisdictions to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System. In total, 2,447 outbreaks (yearly average, 136) with a confirmed or suspected etiology of nontyphoidal Salmonella were identified. The outbreaks included 65,916 individual cases (mean, 27 cases per outbreak). Food vehicles were identified in 49% of the outbreaks. Frequently implicated foods included eggs (12.5%), chicken (12.4%), and pork (6.5%). Fifty-five (2.2%) outbreaks had fatalities; 87 (0.1%) individuals died. Of those outbreaks with a reported serotype, the most commonly identified were Enteritidis (29.1%).

Avian infectious bronchitis virus in Iran

15.07.2019

Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. 2019

Despite vaccination efforts, novel field IBVs continue to emerge in Iran. A new research found that among 170 flocks tested, 84.71% found to be positive to IB. The IS-1494-like IBV strain (Israeli Var ll strain), was the most common type accounted for 85% of detected strains. The other types overall created a lower proportion; including 793/B having a prevalence of 7%, QX, and Mass with prevalence rates of 5% and 2%, respectively, and D274 with the incidence of 1%.

Campylobacter infection in Ireland, 2018

12.07.2019

HPSC

Campylobacteriosis is an acute zoonotic bacterial disease. It is the commonest bacterial cause of gastroenteritis in Ireland and Europe. During 2018, 3,030 cases of campylobacteriosis were reported, an increase of 8.7 percent compared with 2,786 patients in 2017. The highest rate of notification was in the 0-4 year age group. C. jejuni accounted for >90% of cases and there where three small general outbreaks in 2018 reported as foodborne -no sources were identified.

Foodborne infection in the Netherlands - 2018

12.07.2019

The incidence of campylobacteriosis (laboratory confirmed cases) increased from 33 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2017 to 35 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2018. However, the incidence in 2018 is lower compared with 2010-2016. The incidence of salmonellosis (laboratory confirmed cases) is with 9 cases per 100,000 inhabitants similar to 2013-2017 (range: 9 to 11 per 100,000 inhabitants).

UK: 1,400 tons of poultry were sent back to Brazil due to salmonella

04.07.2019

Thousands of tonnes of salmonella-contaminated chicken have been exported from Brazil during the past two years, including more than one million birds sent to the UK. Thirteen shipments of contaminated chicken from Brazil have been detected by UK border inspectors in 2019. According to Agriculture Minister Tereza Cristina Dias, the shipments totaled 1,400 tons of poultry, which were returned over a 15-month period. The confirmation was made after a local website Reporter Brasil ran a story on the incident. According to the site, some of the shipments belonged to the leading meatpackers in the country, JBS and BRF Foods. In addition, the site reported that, after being refused by UK, the poultry was sold in the Brazilian market.

Prevalence of Dermanyssus gallinae in commercial laying farms in Portugal

29.06.2019

Waap et al (2019) Avian Pathology

Dermanyssus gallinae also known as the poultry red mite is an obligate blood-feeding ectoparasite of domestic and wild birds. In Europe, D. gallinae is considered the most serious pest in layer farms. The economic impact is linked to the high treatment and control costs and to production losses caused by a drop in egg laying rates, a higher susceptibility to poultry diseases, and increased mortality. Further financial losses arise from the decline in egg quality due to blood spots caused by the crushing of blood-engorged mites in egg collection belts and increased thinning of shells. A new research survey assess the prevalence and infestation levels in laying farms in Portugal and evaluate the perception and attitudes of producers regarding D. gallinae. The survey was performed between August 2016-November 2017, and included 24 farms in the NUTS2 regions Centro and Norte.

H7 LPAI in a duck layer flock in California

29.06.2019

Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI) was detected in a non-commercial duck layer flock in Merced County, California during routine testing. The affected flock did not show any clinical signs. Partial gene sequencing by the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) confirmed H7 LPAI consistent with North American wild bird lineage on June 27, 2019.

Salmonella enteritidis in imported eggs

28.06.2019

_RASFF – the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed

Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis was found in eggs (presence /25g) imported from the Netherlands to Germany. Sampling date: 07/06/2019

UK: Major retailers publish campylobacter results for Jan-Mar 2019

15.06.2019

The top nine retailers across the UK have published their latest testing results on campylobacter contamination in UK-produced fresh whole chickens (covering samples tested from January to March 2019). The latest figures show that on average, across the major retailers, 3.5% of chickens tested positive for the highest level of contamination. These are the chickens carrying more than 1,000 colony forming units per gram (cfu/g) of campylobacter. Campylobacter levels have remained steady and are below the target of 7% at the highest level of contamination.

Salmonella resistant to colistin found in U.S.

15.06.2019

Researchers from North Carolina State University have found a gene that gives Salmonella resistance to antibiotics of last resort in a sample taken from a human patient in the U.S. The find is the first evidence that the gene mcr-3.1 has made its way into the U.S. from Asia. In the U.S., Salmonella enterica 4,[5],12:i:- ST34 is responsible for a significant percentage of human illnesses. The drug resistance gene in question - known as mcr-3.1 - gives Salmonella resistance to colistin, the drug of last resort for treating infections caused by multidrug-resistant Salmonella. The positive sample came from a person who had traveled to China two weeks prior to becoming ill with a Salmonella infection.

Australia: The Egg Basket eggs, recall – Salmonella

14.06.2019

The Egg Basket is conducting a recall of Country Fresh Eggs, Just Eggs, Chefs Choice Free Range and Chefs Choice Cage Free eggs. The recall is due to potential Salmonella Enteritidis contamination.

An international outbreak of S. Enteritidis linked to eggs from Poland

29.05.2019

Lancet Infect Dis - 2019

18 EU and EEA countries identified 1209 S Enteritidis outbreak cases between May 1, 2015, and Oct 31, 2018, of which 838 were confirmed and 371 were probable. 509 (42%) cases were reported in 2016, after which the number of cases steadily increased. The case-control study results showed that cases more often ate in food establishments than did controls, but no specific food item was identified. Recipe-based food trace-back investigations among cases who ate in food establishments identified eggs from Poland as the vehicle of infection in October, 2016. Phylogenetic analysis identified two strains of S Enteritidis in human cases that were subsequently identified in salmonella-positive eggs and primary production premises in Poland, confirming the source of the outbreak. The eggs originated from Polish farms with a Salmonella-negative status.

Canada: Compliments brand Chicken Strips recalled due to Salmonella

25.05.2019

Sofina Foods Inc. is recalling Compliments brand Chicken Strips from the marketplace to avoid possible Salmonella illnesses. The Public Health Agency of Canada is investigating an outbreak of human illness and has identified this product as a source of illness. The outbreak investigation is ongoing. This recall was triggered by findings by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) during its investigation into a foodborne illness outbreak.

Why S. Infantis is less invasive than S. Typhimurium?

25.05.2019

J Infect Dis. 2019

Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis is one of the ubiquitous serovars of the bacterial pathogen Salmonella enterica and recently has been emerging in many countries worldwide. Nonetheless, not much is known about S. Infantis epidemiology, host-adaptation and virulence. Moreover, while S. Infantis adheres better to host cells and highly colonizes mouse intestines at early time post-infection, it is significantly less invasive and induces much lower inflammation and pathology in-vivo than S. Typhimurium.

CDC: A multistate outbreaks of Salmonella infections linked to contact with backyard poultry

18.05.2019

CDC is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Braenderup and Salmonella Montevideo infections linked to contact with backyard poultry. Fifty-two people infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella have been reported from 21 states. Five (19%) people have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported. 28% of ill people were children younger than 5 years.Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicate that contact with backyard poultry (such as chicks and ducklings) from multiple hatcheries is the likely source of these outbreaks.

Salmonella occurring at low levels in the Finnish food chain

17.05.2019

The potential origins of food-based salmonella infections in consumers were assessed based on information from between 2008 and 2015. During this time, the annual total number of infections was reduced by half from about 3,000. The number of infections acquired from Finland varied from approximately 300 to 400 cases. The studied food categories included chicken and turkey meat, beef and pork. Finnish and imported meat were examined as separate categories. Based on the research material, about two thirds of annual human salmonella infections of Finnish origin represent subtypes of salmonella that were also identified in the studied food categories. As evaluated by using the model, three subtypes of salmonella with the relatively highest risk levels were Enteritidis 8, Newport and Enteritidis 1b.

H3N1 in Belgium

10.05.2019

Since the beginning of April, thirty-five farms in Belgium have been affected by H3N1 LPAI strain. The farms are mainly located in West Flanders.

Australia: Port Stephens Eggs – Recall Salmonella

09.05.2019

The recall is due to potential microbial (Salmonella enteritidis) contamination. Port Stephens Eggs is conducting a recall of the above products. The products have been available for sale at local butchers, independent supermarkets and retailers in Port Stephens in NSW.

Canada: salmonella outbreak linked to frozen profiteroles and eclairs

28.04.2019

As of April 27, 2019, there have been 73 laboratory-confirmed cases of Salmonella Enteritidis illness investigated in the following provinces: British Columbia (27), Alberta (12), Saskatchewan (9), Manitoba (10), Ontario (13) and Quebec (2). Individuals became sick between November 2018 and late March 2019. Nineteen individuals have been hospitalized. Two deaths have been reported. Many of the individuals who became sick reported eating Celebrate brand classic/classical or egg nog flavoured profiteroles or mini chocolate eclairs (All contain eggs) purchased at various grocery stores before their illnesses occurred.

Salmonellosis at a Regional Hospital, Zlín - Czech Republic

27.04.2019

An outbreak of salmonellosis was reported in the city of Zlin, Czech Republic, in the middle of March at Tomáše Bati Regional Hospital. A total of 68 people were affected more than half are patients. The source of contamination is a common chicken and rice dish served for lunch on March 14.

USA: Foodborne diseases trends

26.04.2019

MMWR April 26, 2019

The incidence of most infections increased during 2018 compared with 2015–2017; this might be partially attributable to increased culture-independent diagnostic tests (CIDTs) to detect enteric infections. The number of human infections caused by Campylobacter and Salmonella, especially serotype Enteritidis, remains high. During 2018, FoodNet identified 25,606 cases of infection, 5,893 hospitalizations, and 120 deaths. The incidence of infection (per 100,000 population) was highest for Campylobacter (19.5) and Salmonella (18.3). Campylobacter has been the most commonly identified infection in FoodNet since 2013. It causes diarrhea, sometimes bloody, and 18% of persons are hospitalized. Poultry is a major source of Campylobacter.

H5N8 HPAI in Israel

24.04.2019

H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus has been detected in a turkey farm in Israel. Isreal's veterinary services has reported an H5N8 outbreak in a turkey farm in Ma'ale Gilboa. The flock is 14,000 birds, 18 weeks old.

USA: LPAI in a duck breeder flock

24.04.2019

As part of routine surveillance for H5/H7 Avian Influenza, H5 low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) was detected in a commercial duck breeder flock (9,500 birds) in Monterey , Monterey County - California. Partial HA sequencing determined the H5 to be a LPAI virus of North American wild bird lineage. Further characterization is pending virus recovery. There have been no clinical signs of illness or increased mortality on the premises.

Doctors sue USDA: Consumers are buying contaminated poultry meat

18.04.2019

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine - a nonprofit with 12,000 doctor members - filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture on April 16, 2019, for ignoring concerns over fecal contamination of chicken and other meat. The lawsuit, filed with the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, seeks to compel USDA to comply with the Administrative Procedure Act and respond to a petition the Physicians Committee submitted on March 14, 2013, which requested that USDA regulate feces as an adulterant under the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act.

Newcastle Disease detected in Arizona

08.04.2019

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the presence of virulent Newcastle disease (VND) in a small flock of pet chickens in Coconino County, Arizona. This is the first case of VND in Arizona. This case is believed to be connected to the current outbreak of virulent Newcastle disease in California, as tests show the virus is almost identical to the virus causing disease in California.

Campylobacteriosis: Annual Epidemiological Report for 2017

08.04.2019

ECDC

Campylobacteriosis is the most commonly reported gastrointestinal disease in the EU/EEA. • In 2017, 29 EU/EEA countries reported 250,161 confirmed cases of campylobacteriosis. • The overall EU/EEA notification rate was 64.9 cases per 100,000 population. • The number of reported deaths attributed to campylobacteriosis increased from 62 in 2016 to 72 in 2017. • Human campylobacteriosis was more common in children under five years of age than in other age groups. • In 2017, children under five years of age accounted for 13.4% of the 249,776 confirmed cases with known age. The notification rate was 138.0 cases per 100 000 in this age group.

Australia: egg recall

06.04.2019

Synergy Produce Pty Ltd is conducting a recall of Southern Highland Organic Eggs. The recall is due to potential Salmonella Enteritidis contamination.

Pathogenicity & transmission of vNDV from the 2018-19 California outbreak

01.04.2019

Virology 531 (2019) 203-218

Newcastle Disease viruses that are virulent for chickens and cause ND are not commonly isolated in the U.S. In May of 2018, virulent Newcastle disease virus was detected in sick, backyard, exhibition chickens in southern California. Since, 401 backyard flocks (primarily chicken, two turkey, two mixed species, and one pigeon flocks), 4 commercial laying hens farms, one live bird market, and 2 feeder stores have been confirmed positive for vNDV in California, and one backyard flock in Utah. The pathogenesis and transmission potential of this virus, along with two genetically related and widely studied viruses, chicken/California/2002 and chicken/Belize/2008, were evaluated in both 3-week- and 62-week-old chickens given a low, medium, or high challenge dose (102, 104, 106EID50), oculo-nasal infection. All three viruses were highly virulent causing clinical signs, killing all the chickens in the medium and high dose groups, and efficiently transmitting to contacts.

Foodborne illness in nondeployed active duty US Army Service Members

31.03.2019

Mullaney et al (2019) Epidemiology and Infection

A study, published in the scientific journal Epidemiology and Infection estimates the burden of foodborne illness (FBI) caused by five major pathogens among nondeployed US Army service members from 2010 to 2015. The US Army is a unique population that is globally distributed, has its own food procurement system and a food protection system dedicated to the prevention of both unintentional and intentional contamination of food. The study estimate that five pathogens (Norovirus, Campylobacter jejuni, Shigella spp., Salmonella enterica non-typhoidal and STEC non-O157 caused 45,600 annual illnesses among nondeployed active duty US Army Service members.

Pakistan: Avian Influenza kills hundreds of peacocks

30.03.2019

Hundreds of peacocks at breeding centres across Punjab have died due to the Avian influenza H5 virus. The Punjab Wildlife Protection and Parks Department has imposed an emergency at government parks, zoos and breeding centres. More than 100 peacocks at the former prime minister’s farmhouse in Jati Umra have died due to the virus during the past week. Similar deaths, in smaller numbers, have been reported at private breeding centres across the province.

Denmark investigates rise in Salmonella positive chicken flocks

27.03.2019

Denmark found Salmonella in 2.7 percent of chicken flocks that lay eggs last year which is above the limit set by the European Commission to qualify for special conditions. The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration found Salmonella in 12 out of 454 tested chicken flocks that supply eggs to consumers in 2018. This compares to three positive flocks out of 446 in 2017 and out of 426 in 2016. Salmonella was not found in tested flocks in 2015.

Salmonellosis: Annual epidemiological report for 2016

27.03.2019

This report is based on data for 2016 retrieved from The European Surveillance System (TESSy) on 15 March 2018. Salmonellosis is the second most commonly reported gastrointestinal infection and an important cause of foodborne outbreaks in the EU/EEA. • In 2016, 95,326 laboratory-confirmed cases were reported out of which 134 were fatal. • The EU/EEA notification rate was 20.4 cases per 100 000 population. • Salmonellosis notification rates have stabilised in the last five years after a long period that was marked by a declining trend. • The reported case rate was highest in young children 0−4 years with 89.9 cases per 100,000 population, seven times higher than in adults 25–64 years.

USDA: Emergency funds to address Newcastle Disease in California

26.03.2019

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made an additional US$45 million available to stop the spread of Newcastle disease (ND) in southern California. This funding will allow APHIS and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to strengthen their joint efforts to stop the spread of this disease and prevent it from affecting additional commercial flocks. ND has been confirmed in more than 435 backyard flocks since May 2018. It was also confirmed in four commercial flocks in December 2018 and January 2019.

Australia: egg recall due to Salmonella enteritidis

21.03.2019

Bridgewater Poultry is conducting a recall of eggs following the detection of Salmonella Enteritidis on the farm.

UK: Major retailers publish campylobacter results

16.03.2019

The top nine retailers across the UK have published their latest testing results on campylobacter contamination in UK-produced fresh whole chickens (covering samples tested from October to December 2018). The latest figures show that on average, across the major retailers, 3.1% of chickens tested positive for the highest level of contamination. These are the chickens carrying more than 1,000 colony forming units per gram (cfu/g) of campylobacter.

USA: Ground turkey linked to Salmonella outbreak

14.03.2019

Butterball, LLC, a Mount Olive, N.C. establishment, is recalling approximately 78,164 pounds of raw ground turkey products that may be contaminated with Salmonella Schwarzengrund. The problem was discovered by FSIS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) who had been investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Schwarzengrund illnesses involving 5 case-patients from 2 states.

Bulgaria: HPAI H5 outbreak In Lovech region

14.03.2019

Bulgaria reports an HPAI H5 outbreak at a duck farm in the village of Lisets, Lovech municipality, Lovech region in a central region of the Balkan country.

Antimicrobial resistance in Campylobacter spp. from retail chilled chicken in the UK

07.03.2019

Microbiological Survey of Campylobacter Contamination in Fresh Whole UK Produced Chilled Chickens at Retail Sale (2015-2018) and presents antimicrobial resistance (AMR) data for a subset of those Campylobacter isolates collected as part of this survey. The overall survey tested 4,268 samples of whole, UK-produced, fresh chicken during the period August 2016 to July 2017. The samples for the main survey were evenly distributed throughout the year and the UK, and retailers were sampled with their share of free-range, organic and standard chickens taken into account. A subset (585) of the Campylobacter isolates was tested for AMR. A total of 489 C. jejuni and 96 C. coli isolates from 585 samples of retail chicken were tested for antimicrobial resistance. Ciprofloxacin resistance was identified in 41% (201/489) of the C. jejuni isolates and 52% (50/96) of the C. coli isolates tested. Only two (0.4%) C. jejuni isolates and none of the C. coli isolates were resistant to erythromycin.

FDA: A letter from the FDA to Gravel Ridge Farm

07.03.2019

The FDA sent the owners of Gravel Ridge Farm facility a warning letter on February 12, 2019. Gravel Ridge Farms recalled more than 600,000 shell eggs in response to this outbreak. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspected your shell egg farm, located at 1550 County Road 1490, Cullman, Alabama, from September 5 – 7, 12, 20, and 25, 2018. The inspection was initiated as part of a Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) multi-state outbreak investigation by FDA’s Coordinated Outbreak Response and Evaluation (CORE) Network. According to CORE and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 45 people in 12 states were infected with the outbreak strain of SE, which is the same strain found in one environmental swab from your egg laying house No. 2, and one environmental swab from your egg laying house No. 4.

Denmark: H5 - LPAI

02.03.2019

Low pathogenic avian influenza virus was detected in a commercial poultry flock in Terndrup, Rebild - Denmark. On 28 February 2019, low pathogenic avian influenza H5 has been confirmed in a commercial poultry holding with organic laying hens. The layers were tested in accordance with the Danish surveillance programme for avian influenza in poultry. The holding consists of approximately 7,000 laying hens.

Ireland: Recall of Less is Best Premium Turkey Breast due to Listeria monocytogenes

02.03.2019

Divilly’s Ltd is recalling a batch of its Less is Best Premium Turkey Breast due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. Symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness. In rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications, such as meningitis.

Canada: Salmonella outbreak investigations linked to raw chicken continues

02.03.2019

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION (Update): PHAC has received reports of 61 cases of Salmonella Enteritidis illness in ten provinces linked to this active outbreak: British Columbia (4), Alberta (13), Saskatchewan (1), Manitoba (4), Ontario (22), Quebec (4), New Brunswick (2), Nova Scotia (5), Prince Edward Island (3) and Newfoundland and Labrador (1). Frozen raw breaded chicken products have been identified as a source. As of this date, two products manufactured by Sofina Foods Inc. have been linked to the outbreak.

EFSA/ECDC: Summary report on antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic bacteria - 2017

02.03.2019

Zoonotic diseases, such as campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis, continue to build resistance against common antimicrobial drugs, according to a new report from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) - “The European Union summary report on antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic and indicator bacteria from humans, animals and food in 2017”. The joint report presents data collected from 28 EU Member States from humans, pigs and calves under one year of age. The authors say the report confirms the rise in antibiotic resistance already identified in previous years. According to the report, resistance to fluoroquinolones (such as ciprofloxacin) is so high in Campylobacter bacteria in some countries that these antimicrobials no longer work for the treatment of severe campylobacteriosis cases.

CDC: End to the investigation of a Salmonella Infantis outbreak

23.02.2019

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declared an end to its investigation of an outbreak of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella Infantis infections after confirming 129 cases in 32 states, including 25 hospitalizations and 1 death. Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicated that many types of raw chicken products from a variety of sources are contaminated with Salmonella Infantis and are making people sick. The outbreak strain was identified in samples taken from raw chicken products, raw chicken pet food, and live chickens.

Scotland: Annual summary of Salmonella infections, 2018

22.02.2019

During 2018, the Scottish Salmonella, Shigella and Clostridium difficile Reference Laboratory (SSSCDRL) reported 751 cases of human non-typhoidal Salmonella to Health Protection Scotland. This represented a 10% decrease on the 840 cases reported in 2017, and the 839 cases reported in 2016.The two most commonly reported serotypes were Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium which accounted for 55% of all Salmonella isolates reported in 2018. S. Enteritidis remains the most common serotype, with 275 (36.6%) reports. This was an increase of 11% on the 247 reported in 2017. Reports of Salmonella Typhimurium decreased by 24% in 2018, with 139 reports compared to 183 in 2017 – and compared to 128 reported in 2016. This remains the second most commonly reported serotype accounting for 19% of cases. In Scotland, the overall rate of Salmonella infection was 13.9 per 100,000 population, a decrease on the rate in the previous year of 15.5 per 100,000 population.

South Australia: Salmonella outbreak linked to Angkor Bakeries

21.02.2019

Health officials report that the number of cases of Salmonella linked to three Angkor Bakery stores has risen to 51, including 19 people who required hospitalization. The investigation into the outbreak reveals the likely source of contamination was related to handling of raw egg products.

Salmonellosis in the EU: opinion by EFSA experts

19.02.2019

EFSA

After several years of decline, salmonellosis cases in the EU have flattened out. EFSA scientists say that setting stricter targets for Salmonella in laying hens at farm level could help reduce cases of this origin by a half. EU countries are currently required to reduce the proportion of laying flocks infected with certain types of Salmonella to 2%. EFSA experts estimate that if this target was reduced to 1% salmonellosis cases in humans transmitted via laying hens would drop by 50%.

Namibia: Avian Influenza kills 250 penguins on Halifax Island

16.02.2019

Samples collected from hundreds of dead penguins tested positive for Avian Influenza H5N8. This follows after about 250 dead penguins were discovered late December on Halifax Island situated about 10 kilometres from Luderitz. Halifax is situated about 10 kilometres west of Luderitz and is located about 100 metres off the mainland.

Update: Outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to raw turkey products

15.02.2019

CDC and public health and regulatory officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of multidrug-resistant Salmonella infections linked to raw turkey products. Since the last update on December 21, 2018, 63 ill people from 24 states, and the District of Columbia, have been added to this investigation. As of February 13, 2019, 279 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Reading have been reported from 41 states and the District of Columbia. 107 people have been hospitalized. One death has been reported from California. Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicates that raw turkey products from a variety of sources are contaminated with Salmonella Reading and are making people sick. In interviews, ill people report eating different types and brands of turkey products purchased from many different locations.

Brazil: BRF recalls chicken export products over salmonella contamination

13.02.2019

Brazilian food processor BRF recalled almost 500 tonnes of fresh chicken products due to salmonella enteritidis contamination, in a move affecting several key export markets in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. BRF said in a regulatory filing it was recalling 164.7 tonnes of fresh chicken destined for the domestic market and another 299.6 tonnes destined for the international market as a precautionary measure.

Australia, NSW: Salmonella warning

02.02.2019

The NSW Food Authority have issued an urgent warning about salmonella contamination in some New South Wales eggs. Consumers are being asked to check the stamping on their eggs. NSW Food Authority said they had been able to isolate the particular batch of eggs thanks to mandatory egg stamping required in NSW. A total of 99 people became unwell with the outbreak strain since it was first reported in May 2018, with almost 30 percent of cases notified to health authorities in the last four weeks. In September 2018, 28 cases of Salmonella Enteritidis were linked to eggs sold in the Sydney metropolitan region.

100,000 Mulard ducks infected with Salmonella killed

28.01.2019

Source: Egypt Today

One hundred thousand imported Mulard ducks were killed in Menoufia and Sharkeya governorates for being infected with Salmonella. The number of ducks killed in Sharkeya and Menoufia are respectively 76,000 and 24,000. The decision was made after the analysis results had come out while the cargo was quarantined.

Frozen, raw chicken nuggets sicken 54 in Canada

27.01.2019

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) are investigating a new Salmonella outbreak linked to raw chicken.As of January 25, 2019, 54 Canadians from ten provinces and three territories have become infected with Salmonella Enteritidis after consuming a frozen, raw breaded chicken product. None of the outbreak victims have been hospitalized in this latest outbreak. Since mid-2017, PHAC has received reports of 529 laboratory-confirmed cases of Salmonella illness linked to raw chicken, including frozen, raw breaded chicken.

Salmonella infection in Ireland, 2017

23.01.2019

During 2017, 414 cases of salmonellosis were notified (378 confirmed and 36 probable). The 414 cases notified in 2017 represent a 37% increase compared to 2016; if only confirmed cases are compared, the 378 confirmed in 2017 represent a 25% increase on the number in 2016. Overall this corresponds to a crude incidence rate (CIR) of 8.7 per 100,000 population. Prior to this, the annual CIR had been decreasing gradually over the last eight years (from 10.8/100,000 in 2007 to between 5.7 and 6.3 in the last three years). Similar to 2016, the highest age-specific incidence rate was in children under 5 years of age (17.8/100,000). This is likely to be influenced by clinicians more readily seeking clinical samples in that age group.

Lawsuit: Salmonella outbreak caused from raw unpasteurized eggs use

20.01.2019

Newly filed court documents reveal Milk & Honey served salmonella-tainted ‘short rib gnocchi’ to patrons during August of 2018, causing over 20 patrons to fall ill with salmonella poisoning, and the Metro Health Department to deem it an outbreak. Between August 3rd and August 15th of 2018, more than 20 patrons of Milk & Honey, a restaurant on 11th Ave S in the Gulch (Nashville), were diagnosed with salmonella poisoning, according to the Metro Health Department, who formally deemed the incident an ‘outbreak’. Environmental, epidemiological, and lab testing linked the outbreak to the raw egg product furnished to Milk & Honey by a vendor, Gravel Ridge Farms. Specifically, they found the gnocchi was were only being cooked to 130 degrees, well below the required 145 degree required cook-kill temperature.

UK: Zoonoses Report

19.01.2019

This year’s UK Zoonoses Report continues to include the numbers of reported cases of zoonotic infection in humans and animals and a selection of feature articles which highlight human and animal incidents and issues of public health significance which occurred during 2017. Campylobacter continues to be the most commonly reported human gastrointestinal pathogen and cases increased again in 2017 after a decline over the previous 2 years. The reporting rate for campylobacter increased in the UK from 89.8 per 100,000 population in 2016 to 96.8 per 100,000 in 2017. This increase was observed in each of the UK countries. Northern Ireland continues to report rates lower than the rest of the United Kingdom (76.0 cases per 100,000 population). the ratio of unreported human campylobacter disease to reports to national surveillance is 9.3 to 1 (95% CI 6-14.4).

Newcastle Disease diagnosed in Utah, USA

19.01.2019

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed Jan. 18 the presence of Newcastle disease virus in a small flock of backyard exhibition chickens (250) in Utah County, Utah. This is the first case of Newcastle Disease discovered in Utah.

California: Third farm diagnosed with ND

12.01.2019

According to a January 10th APHIS release a commercial egg-production farm with 100,000 hens was diagnosed with Newcastle Disease.

California: Newcastle disease found in 2nd commercial flock

09.01.2019

Newcastle disease was detected in a commercial layer flock in Riverside County. This finding is part of an outbreak in southern California that began in May 2018 in backyard exhibition birds. The initial commercial case was reported Dec. 16, 2018, in a flock of 110,000 six-week-old layer chickens in Riverside County.

EURL-Salmonella interlaboratory comparison study (2017)

03.01.2019

In November 2017, the 22nd interlaboratory comparison study on the typing of Salmonella was organised by the European Union Reference Laboratory for Salmonella (EURL-Salmonella, Bilthoven, the Netherlands). The study’s main objective was to evaluate whether the typing of Salmonella strains by the National Reference Laboratories (NRLs-Salmonella) in the European Union was carried out uniformly, and whether comparable results were being obtained. Performance of EU NRLs in Salmonella typing is assessed annually by testing ability to identify 20 strains. NRLs from countries outside the EU participate on a voluntary basis. The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia as well as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Israel took part in the 2017 assessment. All 35 labs performed serotyping. Twenty obligatory Salmonella strains plus one optional strain were selected by the EURL-Salmonella for serotyping.