Human Salmonella Isolates, 2015 No. 5, May

The number of isolates (n=92) confirmed this month showed slight decrease in comparison to the number of isolates confirmed in May 2014 (n=96). Salmonella Typhimurium phage type 56 variant (4.2% in May 2014 vs 9.8% in May 2015) and phage type 101 (4.2% in May 2014 vs 9.8% in May 2015) were the most common serotypes confirmed this month. Uncommon Salmonella serotypes confirmed this month included S. Enteritidis phage type 13a (14 human isolates since it was first confirmed in New Zealand in 1997; 57% of cases had reported recent overseas travel), S. Krefeld (26 human isolates since it was first reported in New Zealand in 1989; 85% of cases reported recent travel to Asia), S. Richmond (9 human isolates since it was first reported in New Zealand in 1989; 67% of cases reported recent travel to India or Asia), and S. Sandiego (27 human isolates since it was first reported in New Zealand in 1992).