Abstract
An epidemiological investigation and a retrospective case-control study were conducted into an outbreak of Salmonella Havana in alfalfa sprouts, in Adelaide, Australia. In total, 31 cases of S. Havana were notified during June and July 2018 and linked to the outbreak. Eighteen cases and 54 unmatched controls were included in a case-control study. Results from the case-control study indicated an increased risk of illness linked to the consumption of alfalfa sprouts; this was supported by trace-back, sampling and environmental investigations. This outbreak of S. Havana was caused by consumption of alfalfa sprouts from one local sprouts producer. It is unclear as to when in the production of alfalfa sprouts the contamination occurred. However, contaminated seeds and poor pest control are the most likely causes. This investigation highlights the importance of ensuring that producers take appropriate action to minimise the likelihood of contamination and to comply with legislation and standards for primary production and food safety.
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Communicable diseases intelligence (2018) |
| Volume | 43 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 15 Oct 2019 |
Keywords
- alfalfa sprouts
- case-control study
- outbreak
- Salmonella Havana
- South Australia
Cite this
}
An outbreak and case-control study of Salmonella Havana linked to alfalfa sprouts in South Australia, 2018. / Harfield, Stephen; Beazley, Rebecca; Denehy, Emma; Centofanti, Alessia; Dowsett, Paul; Housen, Tambri; Flood, Louise.
In: Communicable diseases intelligence (2018), Vol. 43, 15.10.2019.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - An outbreak and case-control study of Salmonella Havana linked to alfalfa sprouts in South Australia, 2018
AU - Harfield, Stephen
AU - Beazley, Rebecca
AU - Denehy, Emma
AU - Centofanti, Alessia
AU - Dowsett, Paul
AU - Housen, Tambri
AU - Flood, Louise
N1 - © Commonwealth of Australia CC BY-NC-ND.
PY - 2019/10/15
Y1 - 2019/10/15
N2 - An epidemiological investigation and a retrospective case-control study were conducted into an outbreak of Salmonella Havana in alfalfa sprouts, in Adelaide, Australia. In total, 31 cases of S. Havana were notified during June and July 2018 and linked to the outbreak. Eighteen cases and 54 unmatched controls were included in a case-control study. Results from the case-control study indicated an increased risk of illness linked to the consumption of alfalfa sprouts; this was supported by trace-back, sampling and environmental investigations. This outbreak of S. Havana was caused by consumption of alfalfa sprouts from one local sprouts producer. It is unclear as to when in the production of alfalfa sprouts the contamination occurred. However, contaminated seeds and poor pest control are the most likely causes. This investigation highlights the importance of ensuring that producers take appropriate action to minimise the likelihood of contamination and to comply with legislation and standards for primary production and food safety.
AB - An epidemiological investigation and a retrospective case-control study were conducted into an outbreak of Salmonella Havana in alfalfa sprouts, in Adelaide, Australia. In total, 31 cases of S. Havana were notified during June and July 2018 and linked to the outbreak. Eighteen cases and 54 unmatched controls were included in a case-control study. Results from the case-control study indicated an increased risk of illness linked to the consumption of alfalfa sprouts; this was supported by trace-back, sampling and environmental investigations. This outbreak of S. Havana was caused by consumption of alfalfa sprouts from one local sprouts producer. It is unclear as to when in the production of alfalfa sprouts the contamination occurred. However, contaminated seeds and poor pest control are the most likely causes. This investigation highlights the importance of ensuring that producers take appropriate action to minimise the likelihood of contamination and to comply with legislation and standards for primary production and food safety.
KW - alfalfa sprouts
KW - case-control study
KW - outbreak
KW - Salmonella Havana
KW - South Australia
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85073177744&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.33321/cdi.2019.43.45
DO - 10.33321/cdi.2019.43.45
M3 - Article
VL - 43
JO - Communicable diseases intelligence (2018)
T2 - Communicable diseases intelligence (2018)
JF - Communicable diseases intelligence (2018)
SN - 2209-6051
ER -