Hygiena 2024, 69(2):56-60 | DOI: 10.21101/hygiena.a1859

Salmonellosis outbreak caused by Salmonella Thompson

Eva Beranová

Krajská hygienická stanice Královéhradeckého kraje se sídlem v Hradci Králové, Hradec Králové, Česká republika

Between 28 March and 2 April 2023, a total of 135 persons (52 males and 83 females) aged between 2 and 79 years contracted acute gastroenteritis after consuming food, out of a total of 339 exposed persons (339 servings dispensed). The attack rate was 39.82%. The course of the infection was moderate to severe with a duration of up to several days, and a total of 8 persons were hospitalized in health care facilities, while dozens of other persons were treated as outpatients. A total of 102 biological material samples and 51 food and environmental samples were taken in this case. Concurrently, multiple epidemiological investigations were also carried out and close cooperation was maintained, in particular with the Division of Food Hygiene. The laboratory results of bacteriological testing of the collected biological materials (rectal swabs) were positive for Salmonella Thompson in 99 cases, and positivity was confirmed 3 times in food and environmental samples. Finally, it was confirmed that the S. Thompson strains from the collected samples formed a uniquely identifiable cluster, namely an isolated cluster of genetically related isolates that was found only in the Czech Republic.

Keywords: Salmonella Thompson, contamination of foodstuffs, epidemiology

Received: April 2024; Accepted: June 17, 2024; Published: June 30, 2024  Show citation