‘One Health’ investigation: outbreak of human Salmonella Braenderup infections traced to a mail-order hatchery – United States, 2012–2013

Abstract

Human salmonellosis linked to contact with live poultry is an increasing public health concern. In 2012, eight unrelated outbreaks of human salmonellosis linked to live poultry contact resulted in 517 illnesses. In July 2012, PulseNet, a national molecular surveillance network, reported a multistate cluster of a rare strain of Salmonella Braenderup infections which we investigated. We defined a case as infection with the outbreak strain, determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, with illness onset from 25 July 2012-27 February 2013. Ill persons and mail-order hatchery (MOH) owners were interviewed using standardized questionnaires. Traceback and environmental investigations were conducted. We identified 48 cases in 24 states. Twenty-six (81%) of 32 ill persons reported live poultry contact in the week before illness; case-patients named 12 different MOHs from eight states. The investigation identified hatchery D as the ultimate poultry source. Sampling at hatchery D yielded the outbreak strain. Hatchery D improved sanitation procedures and pest control; subsequent sampling failed to yield Salmonella. This outbreak highlights the interconnectedness of humans, animals, and the environment and the importance of industry knowledge and involvement in solving complex outbreaks. Preventing these infections requires a 'One Health' approach that leverages expertise in human, animal, and environmental health.

Serovars and antimicrobial resistance of non‐typhoidal Salmonella isolated from non‐diarrhoeic dogs in Grenada, West Indies

“…Recently, Nakao et al . () reported outbreaks of human disease from S . Braenderup associated with a mail‐order poultry hatchery in the United States.…”

Embracing Diversity: Differences in Virulence Mechanisms, Disease Severity, and Host Adaptations Contribute to the Success of Nontyphoidal Salmonella as a Foodborne Pathogen

“…Several reports implicate a role for animal contact in human infection with NTS serovars. Not surprisingly, handling of chicks is responsible for a considerable number of salmonellosis cases (Figure 8), in which serovars Typhimurium, Johannesburg, Braenderup, Thompson, and Montevideo are frequently implicated with human outbreaks of salmonellosis (Loharikar et al, 2012; Pabilonia et al, 2014; Habing et al, 2015; Nakao et al, 2015; Anderson et al, 2016; Sharma et al, 2018). Zoonotic infection may also result from exposure to infected companion animals (kittens, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, and turtles) (Figure 8; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2001; Wright et al, 2005; Bartholomew et al, 2014; Anderson et al, 2017; Gambino-Shirley et al, 2018).…”

Understanding the Complexities of Food Safety Using a “One Health” Approach

“…Perhaps the longest history is human salmonellosis linked to live poultry, which is historic but also is an increasing public health concern. In 2012 to 2013, an investigation traced Salmonella Branderup infections to a mail-order hatchery in the United States (31). The authors describe 8 unrelated outbreaks of human salmonellosis linked to live poultry contact which resulted in more than 517 illnesses.…”

“…The authors state that similar to other outbreaks, industry knowledge and involvement are needed to solve outbreaks. Nakao et al state that in this case a "One Health" approach leveraged the necessary expertise in human, animal, and environmental health (31).…”