Outbreak-associated Salmonella enterica serotypes and food Commodities, United States, 1998-2008

Abstract

Salmonella enterica infections are transmitted not only by animal-derived foods but also by vegetables, fruits, and other plant products. To clarify links between Salmonella serotypes and specific foods, we examined the diversity and predominance of food commodities implicated in outbreaks of salmonellosis during 1998-2008. More than 80% of outbreaks caused by serotypes Enteritidis, Heidelberg, and Hadar were attributed to eggs or poultry, whereas >50% of outbreaks caused by serotypes Javiana, Litchfield, Mbandaka, Muenchen, Poona, and Senftenberg were attributed to plant commodities. Serotypes Typhimurium and Newport were associated with a wide variety of food commodities. Knowledge about these associations can help guide outbreak investigations and control measures.

Keywords: Salmonella enterica; United States; bacteria; enteric infections; food commodities; foodborne diseases; outbreaks; serotypes.

Figure

Gini coefficient and percentage of outbreaks attributed to animal commodities for each Salmonella enterica serotype, Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System, United States, 1998–2008. Size of circle indicates number of outbreaks for each serotype. Animal commodities include land animals (beef, chicken, eggs, game, pork, and turkey) and aquatic animals (crustaceans, fish, and mollusks). *Serotypes with <5 outbreaks. The Gini coefficient is a measure of diversity; a value of 0 indicates an equal distribution of outbreaks caused by a serotype across all commodities, and a value of 1 indicates that all outbreaks were attributed to a single commodity.