An ongoing outbreak in Denmark belies the fact that salmonellosis rates in Scandinavia have remained fairly constant during the past decade. In the attached graph rates for the United States are added for comparison. Some additional background data on salmonellosis in Denmark – source www.GideonOnline.com

[Primary references available on request]

Salmonellosis accounts for 5% of diarrhea episoded in children below age 5 years (2005 publication)

Salmonellosis was the most common bacterial zoonosis in Denmark prior to 1998; since that year, it has ranked second (to Campylobacteriosis).

During the past 25 years, Salmonella enteritidis infection has been more common than S. typhimurium infection [see graph].

Eggs accounted for over 50% of human salmonellosis cases in 1997; approximately 35% in 1998.

59 fatal cases of S. typhimurium infection were reported during 1995 to 1999.

Multiresistant strains of S. typhimurium accounted for 25% of S. typhmurium isolates in 1999; 10% in 2000; 14% in 2001.
- During December 1996 to March 1999, 31 domestic animal herds were found infected with multiresistant S. typhimurium DT104.
- There is evidence for transmission of S. typhimurium DT104 among cattle and pig herds.

Outbreaks:
Salmonella accounted for 38% of food-related outbreaks reported during 1990 to 1992; 28.0% during 1993 to 1998.
- S. enteritidis accounted for 13.3% of household disease outbreaks during 1991 to 2001, and S. typhimurium for 5.6%. 3

Notable outbreaks:
1993 – An outbreak (550 cases, approximate) of S. infantis infection was ascribed to pork.
1993 – An outbreak (130 cases) of S. saintpaul infection was ascribed to turkey.
1994 – An outbreak (154 cases) of S. newport infection was ascribed to alfalfa sprouts.
1996 – An outbreak (170 cases) Salmonella typhimurium infection in Funen was ascribed to contaminated pork.
1998 – An outbreak (38 cases) of S. manhattan infection was ascribed to smoked pork loin. The expected incidence of this species was 0 to 3 cases per year.
1998 – An outbreak (25 cases, 2 fatal) of multi-resistant S. typhimurium DT104 infection was traced to fresh pork – a total of two infected herds were identified during the outbreak.
1999 – An outbreak (49 cases) of Salmonella paratyphi B infection was reported among Danish tourists in Turkey.
2000 – An outbreak (9 cases, 1 fatal) of multi-resistant S. typhymurium U302 infection was reported.
2001 – An outbreak (127 cases) of Salmonella Bovismorbificans infection was reported nationwide.
2001 – An outbreak (16 cases in Denmark) of Salmonella oranienburg due to contaminated German chocolate affected several European countries.
2001 – An outbreak of Salmonella Schwarzenground infections in Denmark and the United States was traced to contaminated chickens in Thailand.
2002 – An outbreak (81 cases) of multi-resistant S. enterica serotype Typhimurium infection was ascribed to contaminated turkey.
2003 – An outbreak (112 cases) of Salmonella typhimurium DT108 infection caused by kebab meat imported from Denmark was reported in Sweden.
2003 – An outbreak (67 confirmed, 390 estimated cases) of Salmonella typhimurium U302 infection was ascribed to fecal contamination of a buffet at a restaurant in Copenhagen.
2005 – An outbreak (22 cases) of Salmonella typhimurum DT104 infection was caused by raw beef carpacio imported from Italy.
2005 – An outbreak (178 cases) of Salmonella goldcoast infection in Majorca affected tourists from Scotland (37), Ireland (6), Sweden (6), Norway (8), Denmark (3), Germany (20) and Finland (4).
2005 – An outbreak (26 cases) of Salmonella typhimurium infection in Funen was caused by contaminated pork.
2006 – An outbreak (217 cases) of Salmonella anatum and ETEC infections among guests at a high school dinner in Copenhagen was caused by contaminated pesto.
2007 – An outbreak (10 cases) of Salmonella typhimurium infection in Denmark (6 cases) and Norway (4 cases) was caused by imported Spainish sausage.
2007 – An outbreak (140 cases) of gastroenteritis was ascribed to contaminated drinking water. Pathogens implicated in the outbreak included Campylobacter, EPEC, Salmonella, Norovirus, Rotavirus, Yersinia, Giardia and Blastocystis.
2007 – An outbreak (63 cases) of Salmonella seftenberg infection in England and Wales (51 cases), Denmark (11) and the Netherlands (2) was ascribed to contaminated basil imported from Israel.
2007 – An outbreak (45 cases, total) of Salmonella Weltevreden infections in Norway (19 cases), Denmark (19 cases) and Finland (7 cases) was associated with alfalfa sprouts distributed from Denmark.
2007 – An outbreak (10 cases) of Salmonella enteritidis infection associated with a family celebration in Copenhagen was ascribed to contaminated eggs.
2007 – An outbreak (354 cases) of Salmonella paratyphi B variant Java (Salmonella Java) infection in Netherlands (12 cases), Sweden (172), Norway (25), Ireland (9), Hungary (3), Finland (9), Denmark (40) and Austria (2) was ascribed to contaminated baby spinach.
2008 – An outbreak (330 cases confirmed, 4,000 estimated) of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium U292 infection was reported.

Also posted in ProMED

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 10th, 2008 at 9:45 pm and is filed under Epidemiology, Graphs, ProMED. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.