Daily Brief: 2016.12.26
THREAT ANALYSIS
Antibiotic Resistant Salmonella
According to a report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the incidence of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella infections in the United States are now estimated to be 6,200 cases annually.
(Sources: CIDRAP)
In the report, the CDC utilized data from the US Census Bureau and from two surveillance systems; the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) and the Laboratory-based Enteric Disease Surveillance (LEDS) system. NARMS reportedly monitors resistance in Salmonella by testing isolates from infected individuals. LEDS collects Salmonella surveillance data, including serotypes, from state and territorial public health labs.
(Sources: CIDRAP, Food Safety News)
According to the report, there were 369,254 culture-confirmed Salmonella infections from 2004 through 2012. Enteritidis, Typhimurium, Newport, and Heidelberg, accounted for 52% of all fully serotyped isolates. NARMS tested a total of 19,410 isolates from 2004 through 2012, and overall resistance was detected in 2,320 isolates. Ampicillin-only resistance was the most common resistance pattern detected, followed by ceftriaxone/ampicillin resistance and ciprofloxacin non-susceptibility.
(Sources: CIDRAP, CDC)
ACTION STEPS
- There is no vaccine to prevent salmonellosis. Because foods of animal origin may be contaminated with Salmonella, people should not eat raw or undercooked eggs, poultry, or meat.
- Cross-contamination of foods should be avoided. Uncooked meats should be kept separate from produce, cooked foods, and ready-to-eat foods.
- Hands, cutting boards, counters, knives, and other utensils should be washed thoroughly after touching uncooked foods. Hand should be washed before handling food, and between handling different food items.
(Source: CDC)