Decline of Salmonella enterica Serotype Choleraesuis Infections, Taiwan

摘要

In humans, S. enterica Choleraesuis usually causes invasive infections (1). Transmission of the organism is probably from pigs to humans (3). According to an inspection program conducted by the Council of Agriculture in 2004, illegal slaughter of pigs dying of unidentified diseases and sale of the pork at a reduced price were common in Taiwan and probably were associated with transmission of the organism (4). In Taiwan during 1996–1997, a large epidemic of swine foot-and-mouth disease occurred (5), and consumption of pork decreased substantially. To prevent further spread of that epidemic, the government implemented massive slaughter of infected pigs and a swine vaccination policy (5). Coincidently, in 1996–1998, S. enterica Choleraesuis infections among humans decreased significantly (p