A Salmonella outbreak has affected nearly 100 people across multiple countries including the US. The Salmonella Senftenberg strain was reported in 92 cases from August 2022 to mid-July 2023, leading to 12 hospitalizations and one death in Germany. The most affected countries are Germany, France, Finland, Sweden, and the US. The bacteria were found in a mixed salad containing cherry tomatoes and green leafy vegetables. Tomatoes are suspected to be the source of infection, but this has not been confirmed. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has highlighted the importance of identifying the source to prevent further outbreaks. Food Safety News reported

Multi-Country Salmonella Outbreak Infects Nearly 100 People

In an outbreak of Salmonella spanning several countries, almost 100 people have become ill. This includes patients in the United States.

Salmonella Senftenberg Cases from August 2022 to July 2023

From August 2022 through to July 2023, there have been 92 instances of Salmonella Senftenberg reported. Out of these cases, 12 individuals required hospitalization and one person died in Germany. The majority of those infected were female, while 28 of the patients were male. Infections have been reported across all age groups.

Most Affected Countries are Germany, France, Finland and Sweden

Germany is the country with the highest infection rate, reporting 26 cases. This is followed by France with 16 cases, Finland with 12, and Sweden with 11. The United States has noted two cases.

Details of the U.S. Cases

The first case in the U.S. was a woman aged 47 who was reported in October 2022. The second case was an immunocompromised 42-year-old man who fell ill in April 2023. This individual had undergone a liver transplant in 2022.

Identification of Salmonella Senftenberg in Mixed Salad

In April 2023, France’s public health agency was informed by the national food reference laboratory that Salmonella Senftenberg had been found in a mixed salad made up of cherry tomatoes and green leafy vegetables. This salad was prepared in August 2022, but was not served as planned to airline customers.

The Thirteen Countries Affected

Those who fell ill also reside in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom.

The majority of cases were reported between October 2022 and March 2023, as per the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Link to Tomatoes

Out of 21 patients interviewed in Austria, France, Germany and Sweden, 20 reported having consumed tomatoes and 12 said they had eaten iceberg lettuce.

Tomatoes were suspected as the source of infection by authorities in France and Austria and were traced back to wholesalers in Germany, the Netherlands and Spain, and to farmers in the Netherlands, Spain and Morocco. However, there is no microbiological evidence from the tomatoes, so the exact source of the infection has not been confirmed.

Source of Contamination

Intermittent reporting of patients between August 2022 and June 2023 indicates a prolonged distribution of contaminated food from a common source for about 10 months in the EU and UK. Finding linked cases in the U.S. suggests a potential shared source of infection or travel to Europe, according to the ECDC.

Contamination of cherry tomatoes may have occurred pre-harvest on farms via various sources, such as the use of contaminated water, including re-used irrigation water.

“Determining the nature and origin (root cause) of microbial contamination of vegetables in the food chain is critical to ensure appropriate handling and activities by growers, producers, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers and to prevent the risk of foodborne illness from exposure to Salmonella-contaminated vegetables,” the ECDC stated.

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