Salmonellosis in Poland in 2015 and 2016

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Infectious Disease Surveillance
• Public Health

Background:

• Salmonellosis remains a significant public health concern globally and in Poland.
• Understanding epidemiological trends is crucial for effective disease control and prevention strategies.
• Previous years showed seasonal increases and high hospitalization rates for salmonellosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the epidemiological situation of salmonellosis in Poland during 2015-2016.
• To compare the incidence and characteristics of salmonellosis cases with previous years.
• To identify trends in outbreaks, affected demographics, and contributing factors.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of national surveillance data from "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland" bulletins.
• Inclusion of data from Sanitary-epidemiological Stations' laboratories and outbreak investigations.
• Utilized data from the Register of Epidemic Outbreaks (ROE) and the Central Statistical Office.

Main Results:

• In 2015, 8,650 salmonellosis cases were reported (22.5/100,000 incidence), with 71.8% hospitalization rate.
• In 2016, cases rose to 10,027 (approx. 16% increase), with 71.1% hospitalization; Salmonella Enteritidis was the most frequent serotype.
• Highest incidence in both years was in Małopolskie and Mazowieckie voivodeships; children aged 0-4 were most affected.

Conclusions:

• The rise in salmonellosis incidence in 2015-2016 may be linked to a large 2016 outbreak associated with Polish eggs.
• High hospitalization rates are attributed to infrequent laboratory testing by general practitioners for gastroenteritis.
• Current surveillance methods show low sensitivity, necessitating improvements in diagnostic practices and public health response.