Review of egg-related salmonellosis and reduction strategies in United States, Australia, United Kingdom and New Zealand

Abstract

Globally, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica is one of the most commonly reported causes of foodborne illness in humans. Contaminated food products of animal origin, particularly egg and egg products are frequently implicated in outbreaks of human salmonellosis. Salmonella enteritidis is frequently involved in egg and egg products-associated foodborne outbreaks in the USA and UK. However, in Australia and New Zealand, human infections caused by this serovar occur as a result of infection acquired while overseas travel, with Salmonella typhimurium being a predominant cause of local foodborne outbreaks. In this paper, an overview of Salmonella epidemiology on laying farms, egg-related Salmonella outbreaks in humans, and regulatory practises to control Salmonella across USA, UK, Australia and New Zealand is provided. Considering the estimated production of eggs in the USA, UK, Australia and New Zealand in 2015, the risk of foodborne illness in general is quite low for humans consuming eggs. Salmonella diagnostics, reporting and surveillance systems have improved over the years and will continue to improve in the years to come. However, given the number of different emerging Salmonella serovars a regular review of Salmonella control strategies from farm to fork is required.

Occurrence and Characterization of Salmonella Isolated from Table Egg Layer Farming Environments in Western Australia and Insights into Biosecurity and Egg Handling Practices

“…Poor adoption of Salmonella vaccination in WA egg businesses is not surprising, as the vaccination culture varies between and within countries-for instance, a 2012 study conducted by Sasaki et al [54] in Japan showed that one-third of the visited layer flocks had been vaccinated against Salmonella. In Australia, there is only one approved live attenuated vaccine against S. Typhimurium; the long-term efficacy of this vaccine in commercial layer flocks has been evaluated in previous Australian studies but is still questionable [55,56]. However, it has been shown that vaccination is most effective when applied alongside other biosecurity and sanitation procedures [52].…”

Antimicrobial Resistance of Common Zoonotic Bacteria in the Food Chain: An Emerging Threat

“…Chicken, turkey and other avian species are commonly inhabited with Salmonella without noticeable symptoms [18], which is in addition to the practices in the food production chain [19], considered the highest risk for contamination of meat products. Even though Salmonella was significantly less frequently detected in eggs and their products, they remain the most important source of outbreaks [14,20], most probably due to a large worldwide consumption coupled with low concentrations of Salmonella that cannot be detected [7]. Rapid methods with improved sensitivity are thus needed to address this shortfall, e.g., real-time recombinase polymerase amplification [21] or sequence-based methods.…”

A Food Traceability System Based on Blockchain and Radio Frequency Identification Technologies

“…In recent years, food safety accidents have occurred frequently [1] [2] [3]. The white paper Food Security in China issued by the State Council of the People's Republic of China highlights that "As food is essential to a nation's prosperity and its people's wellbeing, food security is a major prerequisite for national se-Journal of Computer and Communications curity" [4].…”