Health officials have been unable to find the source of a Salmonella outbreak that has affected nearly 30 people in Ireland and England.
The outbreak, which led to the hospitalization of 11 people, has been declared over by the authorities.
Symptom onset ranged from November 30, 2022 to January 13, 2023, peaking on December 30, 2022. 7. Patients lived in various areas on the island of Ireland. Fourteen patients were men and 13 women. Most were adults, ranging in age from 25 to 91, and two were under 18. The median age of the cases was 57 years.
The Health Protection Surveillance Center (HPSC) launched an investigation in late December after seven Salmonella Typhimurium isolates were observed to form a cluster using whole genome sequencing (WGS). in English).
They were related to two previous Salmonella Typhimurium isolates sequenced in October 2020 and December 2021 and some were identified in other European countries as early as 2020. However, the source of these past infections was not found.
A further 13 isolates were added to the pool following further analysis in January 2023. Whole genome sequencing by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) identified an additional seven patients living in Northern Ireland and England. .
In total, 27 patients, identified between December 2022 and January 2023, living in or visiting the island of Ireland were part of the outbreak.
No connection to chicken recalls or broiler flock
An outbreak control team was created in January 2023, chaired by HPSC. It also included representatives from public health departments, the HSE Environmental Health Service, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), the Northern Ireland HSC Public Health Agency and the Northern Ireland Food Standards Agency.
The group met four times during January and February. Enhanced surveillance forms and carryover questionnaires were used to determine the dietary and environmental histories of all cases, but no common exposures were identified. Supplier lists of food companies were also examined, but no commonalities were found.
In January and February 2023, chickens were recalled due to Salmonella. Western Brand recalled several raw chicken products with the possible presence of Salmonella Typhimurium.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine also investigated the findings of Salmonella Typhimurium in several broiler chicken flocks.
However, there is no microbiological evidence of a link between the salmonellosis outbreak and product recall or positive poultry flocks.
In late 2022, the FSAI verified the microbiological quality of chilled and frozen coated poultry preparations and meat products intended to be eaten cooked, and tested for Salmonella.
HPSC data shows that there have been 59 cases of salmonellosis from the beginning of 2023 to the end of February, compared to 29 in the same period of 2022.
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