An ongoing outbreak of Salmonella Mbandaka infection commencing in 2021 has resulted in 300 diagnosed and confirmed cases through March 2024. Outbreaks have been recorded in the U.K., Finland, France, Germany and the Netherlands. Extensive, epidemiologic investigations including whole genome sequencing have identified the source as steam-cooked chicken breast and other products from Ukraine.
According to the European Commission, corrective measures have been implemented in the implicated plant with enhanced surveillance and upgrading of food safety.
The persistence of one strain for over four years suggests vertical transmission that should be evaluated. It would be interesting to learn whether producers in Ukraine and specifically the single largest integrator and exporter have implemented preventive vaccination at either or both the breeder and grow-out levels.