In Denmark, 18 salmonella outbreaks were registered in 2023, an increase from 2022, when there were 11 outbreaks. This appears from the annual report 2023 on the Danish situation of zoonoses – diseases that can be transmitted from animals and food to humans.
The largest salmonella outbreak in 2023 in Denmark counted 31 registered cases of illness caused by Salmonella München. Eight salmonella outbreaks in Denmark in 2023 were due to Salmonella Enteritidis. In total, around 200 patients were infected with different types of salmonella.
Increase in outbreaks of Salmonella Enteritidis also in Europe
The increasing number of outbreaks of salmonella is also seen elsewhere in Europe and follows a general trend. Four of the 11 outbreaks of Salmonella Enteritidis detected in Denmark in 2023 can be traced back to larger international outbreaks. EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority, reports that European countries reported several outbreaks of this bacteria in 2023. EFSA's database contains results from genetic analyses of the bacteria, which have contributed to clarifying and tracing both the meat and the companies where the salmonella bacteria are found.
“When several European countries contribute to the same database, we have a better chance of clarifying more European foodborne outbreaks. And we can see that salmonella can be linked to imported chicken meat,” says research group leader Marianne Sandberg from DTU National Food Institute.
Salmonella Enteritidis is found more often in chickens, chickens and eggs than in foods of other animal origin. Humans can become infected through contact with animals or food infected with the bacteria.
“Salmonella Enteritidis is an infection we most often see after people have travelled. It was, therefore, surprising that the number of Salmonella Enteritidis outbreaks within the country's borders increased from 1-3 per year in 2017-2022 to 8 in 2023,” says Luise Muller, epidemiologist from the Statens Serum Institut.
The source of infection for one outbreak was fried chicken meat for kebabs. That particular outbreak was part of an international outbreak and involved over 200 patients in 13 countries. There are no indications that Danish-produced eggs or chicken meat were the cause of the salmonella outbreak.
“In Denmark, we have very fine-tuned controls for salmonella to produce broilers and eggs for human consumption. If we find salmonella, eggs or chicken meat from the flocks must not be sent out to consumers but must be heat treated,” says Gudrun Sandø from The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration.
This is how you can reduce the risk of contracting a salmonella infection
Infection with salmonella typically causes general malaise, diarrhoea, stomachache, possibly nausea, vomiting and fever. The infection is often accompanied by joint pain, muscle pain and headache. You can reduce the risk of contracting salmonella if you follow general hygiene advice: Wash your hands, separate raw meat from other food, do not taste raw meat and cook or cook your food well.
The report is presented at the seminar
At a seminar on 20 June 2024, the annual report on zoonotic diseases will be presented. The seminar will be held at DTU. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the annual Zoonoses report.
