Recent trends in the epidemiology of non-typhoidalSalmonellain Israel, 1999–2009

Abstract

SUMMARYThe aim of the present study was to assess the recent trends in the epidemiology of non-typhoidSalmonellain Israel using a sentinel laboratory-based surveillance network. Between 1999 and 2009, 8758Salmonellastool isolates were reported by five sentinel laboratories. There was a significant decrease in the incidence rate ofSalmonellaisolates from 70·5/100 000 in 1999 to 21·6/100 000 in 2005 followed by a slight increase to 30·3/100 000 in 2009. Of allSalmonella, 64·3% were isolated from children in the 0–4 years age group. Up to 2008,S. Enteritidis was the most prevalent serotype and in 2009S. Infantis emerged as the most commonSalmonellaserotype. The decrease in the incidence ofS. Enteritidis andS. Typhimurium and increase inS. Infantis among humans were associated with a similar trend among breeding flocks, which followed significant preventive interventions conducted againstS. Enteritidis andS. Typhimurium infections in poultry. Tight surveillance and education of food handlers and consumers should be enhanced to reduce the foodborne transmission ofSalmonellain Israel.