Headlines - National Outbreak of Salmonella Kedougou: A Well-Conducted Investigation!

On June 17, the National Reference Center (CNR) for Salmonella reported to the InVS the isolation of 24 strains of Salmonella Kedougou between April 27 and June 12, 2014 (including 14 strains isolated since late May), whereas it typically receives 10 to 14 per year. The majority of cases were men (16 men, 8 women); those over 65 accounted for 50% of cases, a higher proportion than is usually observed. The cases were scattered throughout the country, although the northern half of France accounted for the majority of cases. One death (a person over 70 years of age) was reported, and 6 cases were hospitalized. This increase in the number of cases over a short period raised suspicion of a common source. Exploratory epidemiological investigations were conducted by the CIREs and ARSs in the regions with the highest number of cases. The Cire Bourgogne Franche-Comté and the ARS of Burgundy thus participated in the investigation of five cases: four residing in Burgundy and one in Franche-Comté. In total, thirteen cases were interviewed. Consumption of raw-milk cheeses was frequently reported, particularly reblochon (9/13), goat cheese (9/13), and comté (8/13). The frequency of reblochon consumption, especially for this season, seemed unusually high. The loyalty card numbers from the supermarket chains where the interviewed cases reported making their purchases were retrieved, enabling the reconstruction of the interviewed cases’ grocery shopping lists. Cross-referencing information on the cases’ consumption, purchases made with loyalty cards, and the Reblochon strain from department 74 received by ANSES made it possible to identify the Reblochon manufacturer. A recall of the entire production run was requested on June 27, 2014. This serotype remains under close surveillance, with the CNR reporting any new cases in real time to monitor the effectiveness of the control measures that have been implemented.