Salmonellosis, 2009

During 2009, 578 culture-confirmed cases of Salmonella infection (11.1 per 100,000 population) were reported. This represents an 8% decrease from the median annual number of cases reported from 1998 to 2008 (median, 626 cases; range, 576 to 725) (Figure 2). Of the 83 serotypes identified in 2009, 5 serotypes, S. Enteritidis (121), S. Typhimurium (106), S. Newport (45), S. Montevideo (26), and S. Saintpaul (16) accounted for 54% of cases. Salmonella was isolated from stool in 510 (88%), urine in 36 (6%), and blood in 25 (4%) cases. There were 5 cases of S. Typhi infection. Only 1 of the S. Typhi cases traveled internationally (India). Twenty-six percent of salmonellosis cases were 11 years of age or younger. Twenty-four percent of cases were hospitalized for their infection.

Of the 512 cases who were interviewed, 86 (17%) traveled internationally during the week prior to their illness onset. Three cases died: an 81-year-old case died of intestinal T-cell lymphoma 2 days after Salmonella was isolated from a blood specimen; an 86-year-old case died of metastatic colon cancer 5 days after Salmonella was isolated from a stool specimen; a 70-year-old case died of end-stage renal disease 4 days after Salmonella was isolated from a stool specimen.

Twenty-one cases were part of eight outbreaks identified in 2009. Six outbreaks involved cases in multiple states. Four of the outbreaks involved foodborne transmission. One outbreak involved contact with animals. One outbreak was the result of person-to-person transmission. In two outbreaks the vehicle of transmission was not identified. The eight outbreaks resulted in a median of only 2 culture-confirmed cases per outbreak (range; 1 to 5 cases).

In February, 2 cases of S. Oranienburg infection were part of a multi-state outbreak that resulted in 16 cases in 11 states among passengers of a cruise ship. The route of transmission was not determined.

From February through April, 5 cases of S. Saintpaul infection were part of a multi-state outbreak that resulted in 228 cases in 13 states. Alfalfa sprouts were implicated as the vehicle and were traced back to seed from a single distributor in Kentucky.

An outbreak of S. Brandenburg infections associated with a daycare in Kandiyohi County was identified in March. Person-to-person transmission resulted in 2 culture-confirmed cases.

In April, 2 cases of S. Cubana infection were part of an outbreak that included 14 cases in Canadian residents. Sprouts were implicated as the vehicle.

In June, 2 cases of S. Oranienburg infection were part of an outbreak associated with a jazz festival in New Orleans that resulted in 51 cases in 19 states. The route of transmission was not determined.

In October, 1 case of S. Typhimurium infection was part of a multi-state outbreak that resulted in 85 cases in 31 states. Contact with African dwarf frogs from a breeder in California were the source of the infections.

An outbreak of S. IV infections associated with a Cub Scout potluck in Blue Earth County was identified in November. Three culture-confirmed and 29 probable cases occurred. Gravy was implicated as the vehicle and bearded dragons, owned by the gravy preparer, were the ultimate source of the contamination.

In December, 4 cases of S. Montevideo infection were part of a multi-state outbreak that resulted in 272 cases in 44 states. Pepper-coated salami was implicated as the vehicle. This investigation resulted in the recall of the implicated product.

• For up to date information see>> Salmonellosis (Salmonella)
• Full issue>> Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2009