RESUMO
We investigated a large multistate outbreak that occurred in the United States in 2015-2016. Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback studies were conducted to determine the source of the infections. We identified 907 case-patients from 40 states with illness onset dates ranging from July 3, 2015 to March 2, 2016. Sixty-three percent of case-patients reported consuming cucumbers in the week before illness onset. Ten illness sub-clusters linked to events or purchase locations were identified. All sub-clusters investigated received cucumbers from a single distributor which were sourced from a single grower in Mexico. Seventy-five cucumber samples were collected, 19 of which yielded the outbreak strain. Whole genome sequencing performed on 154 clinical isolates and 19 cucumber samples indicated that the sequenced isolates were closely related genetically to one another. This was the largest US foodborne disease outbreak in the last ten years and the third largest in the past 20 years. This was at least the fifth multistate outbreak caused by contaminated cucumbers since 2010. The outbreak is noteworthy because a recall was issued only 17 days after the outbreak was identified, which allowed for the removal of the contaminated cucumbers still available in commerce, unlike previous cucumber associated outbreaks. The rapid identification and response of multiple public health agencies resulted in preventing this from becoming an even larger outbreak.
Assuntos
Cucumis sativus/microbiologia , Surtos de Doenças , Doenças Transmitidas por Alimentos/epidemiologia , Infecções por Salmonella/epidemiologia , Salmonella/isolamento & purificação , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Análise por Conglomerados , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , Recém-Nascido , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Tipagem Molecular , Salmonella/classificação , Salmonella/genética , Estados Unidos/epidemiologia , Sequenciamento Completo do Genoma , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Foodborne salmonellosis causes an estimated one million illnesses and 400 deaths annually in the United States (US). During March-May 2017, an outbreak of 19 cases of Salmonella Chailey associated with precut coconut pieces from a single grocery store chain occurred in the United States and Canada. The chain voluntarily recalled precut coconut pieces. This was the first time that coconut has been associated with a Salmonella outbreak in the United States or Canada. In recent years, salmonellosis outbreaks have been caused by foods not typically associated with Salmonella. Raw coconut should now be considered in investigations of Salmonella outbreaks among fresh food consumers.