Spain records Salmonella and Yersinia increases in 2022

Salmonella and Yersinia infections went up in Spain in 2022, based on the latest figures.

A total of 8,777 Salmonella infections were reported, as well as 39 imported cases. In the previous year, 6,156 infections and four imported cases were recorded.

Salmonellosis affected men slightly more than women. The age group with the highest incidences were those younger than 5 years old, according to data from the National Epidemiological Surveillance Network (RENAVE).

The main Salmonella serotype identified was Typhimurium, with 708 cases, followed by Enteritidis, with 630 cases. A clear seasonal pattern was observed for both, with cases increasing during the warmest months of the year and reaching a peak in August.

Information on the serotype causing infection was available in less than 20 percent of cases.

There were 258 outbreaks reported with a total of 1,332 cases, of which 185 people were hospitalized. Just over half of outbreaks occurred between June and October, with a peak in September. In 2021, 151 outbreaks with 915 cases were recorded.

Of 59 outbreaks in 2022 with available information, 44 were caused by Salmonella Enteritidis, 11 from Salmonella Typhimurium, and one each because of Monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Virchow.

Consumption of contaminated food was the main form of transmission identified in 229 outbreaks. Eggs and egg products were implicated in 94 outbreaks. The central place of exposure was the home for 111 outbreaks, followed by restaurants in 80 outbreaks.

Yersinia figures
In 2022, there were 1,015 cases of yersiniosis reported as well as three imported infections. This is up from 744 cases in 2021.

Illness mainly affected children, with the highest incidence reported in those younger than 5. Males were more often sick than females.

In all cases with information on the species, Yersinia enterocolitica was identified in 779 cases, and there were two cases of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. The median age of Yersinia enterocolitica cases was 16, while the two Yersinia pseudotuberculosis cases were 47 and 48 years old.

In 2021, two outbreaks were recorded with eight patients. Also, in 2022, two outbreaks were reported, but there were six cases, and none of them were hospitalized.

Both outbreaks took place in the home. One was associated with the consumption of raw oysters as Yersinia frederiksenii was isolated in clinical samples from patients. The other outbreak was caused by Yersinia enterocolitica but no information was available on the food involved.

Previous data showed that Spain had an increase in E. coli and Listeria infections in 2022.

A total of 633 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections were reported, compared to 426 in 2021. There were 460 listeriosis patients compared to 375 in 2021.

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