Widespread European outbreaks of Salmonella Enteritidis related to chicken meat from Poland, 2023

Salmonella Enteritidis is typically transmitted to humans via consumption of eggs or poultry meat. In July 2023, Denmark and Austria concurrently reported two outbreaks of genetically distinct S. Enteritidis sequence type (ST) 11. In both countries, cases were identified as part of the outbreaks using core-genome Multilocus Sequence Typing (cgMLST) between 1(st) of January and 1(st) of October, 2023. Outbreak investigations were conducted and included interviews with cases, food tracing, and, using cgMLST, comparisons of human, food, and environmental isolates. In the EU, 207 cases across 11 countries were found. Patient food histories pointed towards chicken, often sold as kebab meat. Extensive traceback investigations from affected restaurants and wholesalers in Austria and Denmark identified chicken meat produced in Poland as the vehicle of the outbreaks. Due to the death of one patient in Austria, the food safety authorities initiated more food safety controls for this food product, which led to food recalls. Recalls of specific chicken products from Poland were also conducted in Denmark. Despite national interventions and regulations targeting poultry producers, the EU remains collectively vulnerable to large-scale food contamination events originating in a single member state. Effective international and cross-sector collaboration was crucial to identifying the vehicle of these outbreaks.

Auteur(s) : White Emily Dibba, Cardoso Maria João, Novacek Alina, Küffel Felix, Handra Norbert, Kornschober Christian, Milanov Mihail, Mateva Gergana, Ruppitsch Werner, Larsen Anne Ribert, Søby Malene, Lyhne-Kjærbye Annemette, Nielsen Stine, Rimhanen-Finne Ruska, Vainio Anni, Colgan Aoife, Pardos de la Grandara Maria, Nodari Carolina Silva, Jourdan Da Silva Nathalie, Meinen Anika, Trost Eva, Grilc Eva, Trkov Marija, Dryselius Rikard, Hoban Ann, Chattaway Marie Anne, Painset Anais, Villa Laura, Lucarelli Claudia, Brandal Lin T, Lange Heidi, Gymoese Pernille, Ryder Pernille Munch, Ethelberg Steen, Müller Luise, Maritschnik Sabine

Année de publication : 2026

Pages : e118

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