Salmonella Enteritidis in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

A comprehensive retrospective analysis of human Salmonella Enteritidis isolates in the Zenica-Doboj Canton of Bosnia and Herzegovina was conducted by inquiry and questionnaire. In the period 1998-2000, 299 isolates of Salmonella spp. were recorded, of which S. Enteritidis accounted for 74.2%. The isolation rate of S. Enteritidis increased during this period, from 12.7 to 25.5 isolates/year/100,000 population. Isolates were obtained all year round, mostly from sporadic cases of infection or limited family outbreaks. Home-made food was identified as the most important source of infection, being implicated in 81% of outbreaks and 81.7% of cases of sporadic infection.