Emerging issue: Salmonella in livestock workers
US CDC has issued a notice regarding a multidrug-resistant strain of Salmonella found in livestock workers
16 July 2024
2 minute read
By: The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a notice regarding a multidrug-resistant strain of Salmonella found in livestock workers. While most cases have been seen in public consumption/retail environments, a few cases have been reported for livestock workers; the bacteria has been identified and isolated to cattle in the US and Mexico.
REPJJP01 is a persistent, multidrug-resistant strain of Salmonella Newport bacteria that has caused human illnesses and outbreaks in the US and around the world.
The strain was first reported in the US in late 2015. Since then, the CDC has received more than 2,500 reports of human illness caused by the strain.
REPJJP01 is concerning for several reasons
- It can cause severe human illness and has a higher-than-expected hospitalization rate.
- It is resistant to multiple antibiotics for treatment of severe illness, including first-line and alternative antibiotics.
- Its resistance to antibiotics can spread to other bacteria in people, animals, and the environment.
REPJJP01 is an important cause of foodborne illness
CDC works with local and state health departments and federal partners to investigate and identify sources of REPJJP01 in the United States. To date, CDC has investigated seven multistate outbreaks of human illnesses. People who have been infected with multidrug-resistant Salmonella Newport reported
- traveling to Mexico
- consuming beef and cheese products purchased in Mexico
- consuming beef products purchased in the United States
REPJJP01 has been identified in cattle
In the United States, the strain has been identified 60 times in domestic or imported cattle in federally regulated slaughter and processing establishments throughout the country, and at import establishments along the U.S. southern border. In Mexico, REPJJP01 has been identified in multiple sources, including ground beef and surface water.
Steps can be taken to prevent the spread of REPJJP01
Together, we can prevent contamination of beef products. If you are concerned about Salmonella in your animals,
- work closely with your veterinarian, who will decide when antibiotics are needed to treat, control, and prevent disease
- keep animals healthy, including by following good husbandry practices and implementing biosecurity practices
- use antibiotics exactly as prescribed by your veterinarian
- protect yourself and your workers
