Sweden explains the Salmonella outbreak over; another continues around the world
An outbreak of salmonella has ceased in Sweden without officials being able to find the source of the infection.
In October, 40 people fell ill with monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium and most fell ill during the first half of the month. An earlier update identified 33 patients. Cases were linked by whole genome sequencing.
As no new diseases have been registered since the end of October, the outbreak was recently judged to be over by the authorities.
Sick people were 2 to 92 years old with a median age of 44. They lived in eight different regions.
The infection control units, the National Food Administration and the Swedish Public Health Agency were included in the investigation.
Information on possible sources of infection was collected through interviews as well as surveys and purchase receipts from patients to try to identify common foods that have been consumed or purchased.
Despite an analysis of this information and comparisons with what people who were not part of the outbreak had eaten, it was not possible to identify any potential carriers.
Officials believe the source was a widespread food that had been on the market for a limited time due to the geographical spread of patients and the fact that people became ill within a month.
USA. other countries affected by salmonella outbreaks from tahini and a half
The Public Health Agency has also reported five more people as part of an outbreak in several countries linked to tahini and half from Syria. Since July 2019, 41 people have become ill from several different types of salmonella.
The United States has reported six cases of Salmonella Mbandaka, one in 2020 and the rest this year. Canada has eight confirmed cases: five of Salmonella Mbandaka, two of Salmonella Havana and one of Salmonella Orion from 2019 to 2021. Cases of Salmonella Kintambo, Salmonella Havana and Salmonella Senftenberg can be linked to findings in tahini and half sampled in Germany, US states respectively Norway.
In Europe, at least 121 people have been affected since January 2019, mostly in Germany but also in Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands.
In Sweden, the last patient fell ill in October 2021. In total, the sick live in 12 regions. The patients are 0 to 88 years old with a median age of 33 and 13 are children under 5. Slightly more men than women have been ill. Fourteen people have been infected by two types of Salmonella Havana, 13 by Salmonella Mbandaka, seven by Salmonella Kintambo, four by Salmonella Orion and three by two types by Salmonella Senftenberg.
Tests in Sweden have found Salmonella Havana, Salmonella Mbandaka, Salmonella Orion and Salmonella Senftenberg in tahini or half that are linked to patients in the outbreak through whole genome sequencing. Other salmonella types have also been identified in products that were probably sold in smaller specialty stores.
Despite a number of product recalls, the authorities are concerned that due to the long shelf life, there is a risk that consumers may still have contaminated goods at home and that more people will become ill.
(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here)