Analysis of risk profiles for Salmonella exposure from pork consumption in China: A combined Meta-analysis and...

Salmonella can be transmitted through the pork production chain, posing a risk of human infection. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the regional differences in human exposure to various Salmonella serotypes through pork in China. We conducted a meta-analysis to integrate published data on Salmonella prevalence in Chinese pig farms and developed a farm-to-consumption quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) model. The model estimated an overall Salmonella prevalence of 8.1% (95% CI: 5.43-11.91%) in live pigs and 13.29% (95% CI: 9.19-18.69%) in pig feces. Using a Beta-Poisson dose-response model, the baseline scenario estimated approximately 3.46 × 10⁶ annual salmonellosis cases attributable to pork consumption in China. The highest risk of infection associated with pork consumption was observed in the western regions of China. In the prevalence-based serotype risk ranking, Salmonella typhimurium ranked first. Optimization of interventions at critical control points, such as using disinfectants during washing and reducing cross-contamination in household kitchens, can effectively reduce the risk of Salmonella contamination.