Why salmonella cases plunged in Victoria during 2020

An unexpected effect of the coronavirus pandemic has been a significant drop in salmonella cases, and it might surprise you why.

Cross-contamination from raw foods and leaving food out too long are common reasons for salmonella outbreaks at restaurants and social events, which were restricted in 2020. Picture: Thinkstock

THE number of cases of salmonella in Victoria plummeted last year, with almost half as many cases reported than on average.

There were just 1.8k cases in 2020, compared to 3.2k in 2019, and way down from 4.2k in 2016, according to data from the Department of Health.

Communicable diseases executive director Dr Bruce Bolam said the reduced numbers were an unexpected effect of the coronavirus pandemic.

“The reduction was noticeable from March onward which coincides with the COVID-safe restrictions, so most likely what’s driving that is the reduced social activity,” he said.

“That incudes people eating out less but more importantly, they were sharing food less.

“It could also be a fact that we saw a lot fewer people travelling from overseas.”

He said cross-contamination from raw foods and leaving food out too long were common reasons for outbreaks at restaurants and social events, while takeaway foods were less of a concern.

“Historically (takeaway) isn’t the cause of some of our more significant outbreaks, as long as it’s cooked, stored and transported correctly” he said.

Dr Bolam said with life getting back to normal it was important to keep on top of food and personal hygiene.

“We would expect to start seeing an increase in the number of cases over time, which is why it’s so important for us a department to push the food safety controls.

“Throughly cook meat products, don’t use dirty or cracked eggs, keep your kitchens clean, store raw and cooked foods thoroughly and store any at risk foods in the fridge and wash your hands,” he said.

Meanwhile, the investigation into a spate of salmonella enteritidis outbreaks on egg farms in Victoria and NSW in 2019 has been unable to detect the primary source.

“Genomic sequencing was not able to pin point the exact source of the SE strain on this occasion. NSW DPI are continuing to monitor information locally and through international databases for indications of a potential origin,” a DPI spokesman said.