The number of foodborne infections increased in the Netherlands in 2021, but is still below pre-coronavirus levels, according to a new report.
The report on zoonoses is published through the National Institute of Public Health and Environment (RIVM) and the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). Zoonoses are infectious diseases transmitted from animals to humans and vice versa.
The number of other people infected with Salmonella and Campylobacter remained below the old levels. In 2021, measures were taken again to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as the temporary closure of bars and restaurants, restrictions on travel abroad and increased attention. to hand hygiene. The higher incidence compared to 2020 is likely due to the fact that the measures were less stringent and for a shorter period, according to the report.
Campylobacter and SalmonellaIt is estimated that the number of campylobacteriosis cases in 2021 was 4219 compared to 3942 in 2020. More than 90% were Campylobacter jejuni, 7% Campylobacter coli and the rest were other Campylobacter species. Five foodborne outbreaks were reported with 11 patients, a downplay from previous years.
In 2021, a three-year task on Campylobacter surveillance in the Netherlands began. The goal is to map the clustering of campylobacteriosis cases and the extent to which human group resources can be tracked. A total of 57 groups were detected with an average length of 2 and a diversity of 2 to 14 isolates.
The number of laboratory-confirmed Salmonella infections has been estimated at 1062 cases to 888 in 2020.
As in previous years, monophasic Enteritidis, Typhimurium and Typhimurium serotypes were the most common causes of salmonellosis. There were 42 groups of human isolates of Salmonella Enteritidis with an average length of 6 but a diversity of 2 to 79 cases. Among the isolates of Salmonella Typhimurium, there were 50 clusters with a median length of 3 and a diversity of 3 to 39. Among other types of Salmonella, 72 clusters were discovered with a median length of 2 isolates and a diversity of 2 to 41.
Six outbreaks affected another 159 people. One, the foreign outbreak of Salmonella Braenderup linked to melons from Honduras and another related to eggs with 26 cases since 2018. Another 11 people had health problems in an outbreak of Salmonella Bovismorbificans linked to Kosterworst (a dried sausage). The source was not discovered for two clusters of Salmonella Typhimurium with 30 and 32 patients and one outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo with 22 patients.
Listeria and E. coli In this last year, there have been 94 infections by Listeria, which corresponds to the last year. Eleven other people aged between 56 and 87 died in 2021.
A dozen patients were pregnant at the time of Listeria infection. Two young children were stillborn and one woman suffered a miscarriage.
The largest organization consisted of five patients, who fell ill in December, as well as nine isolated from previous years and 16 food isolates. There is a microbiological link to a suspected German outbreak of infected salmon. Listeria discovered several times between 2017 and 2021 in the grower’s plant at low levels. Now corrective moves have been taken.
A total of 483 inflamed patients were reported with STEC in 2021, more than last year. Only 33 of the 470 patients are thought to have the infection abroad.
40% of patients with E. coli O157 were hospitalized, compared with 31% of patients without O157. Two women over the age of 65 died from E infection. coli. coli. For non-O157, E. coli O26 the common maximum, followed remotely by E. coli. coli O103 and E. coli O63. A total of 29 other O teams were found.
Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) has been reported in 25 patients, including 11 young people up to 10 years of age.
One patient became inflamed with Brucella melitensis, which may have contracted the infection from eating raw camel milk in Ethiopia. The woman was hospitalized with an infection.
Pathogens and dairy cows Meanwhile, a study conducted on 185 dairy farms found Campylobacter in 91% of them.
Every year, RIVM, NVWA and Wageningen Food Safety Research investigate the frequency of occurrence of certain pathogens in livestock sectors. In 2021, scientists tested cow and calf manure on Dutch dairy farms and tested whether 107 farmers, family circle members and workers were carriers of those pathogens.
Listeria and E. coli have been discovered in manure. Cryptosporidium and Salmonella have been detected in young calves and on farms. Campylobacter has been discovered in one person. Two human participants were carriers of Listeria and one of STEC.
Humans can reduce the threat of infection by not eating raw milk or raw dairy products, such as cheese. It’s also eating only well-cooked beef, the researchers said.
(To subscribe to a free Food Safety News subscription, click here. )