Identify and cite at least three relevant and reliable sources of data an epidemiological manager would consult when managing this outbreak.
You may consult any reliable Internet resources as long as they are less than 5 years old. This may include reports from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or the World Health Organization (WHO).
Your resources should also provide a clear and concise summary of the data and results.
Summarize the major findings on the disease. Include a table from at least one of your resources that includes that report's data.
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Data and Results Summary: A key feature is the "Outbreak Investigation" page, which provides a concise summary of the epidemiological and laboratory findings. For instance, a recent outbreak linked to eggs provided the following data (as of June 2025): 134 cases, 38 hospitalizations, and 1 death, with most cases concentrated in California. The report directly advises consumers on a recall of the contaminated product. This type of information is vital for an epidemiological manager to understand the severity and geographic spread of an outbreak.
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) - Annual Epidemiological Reports: The ECDC provides comprehensive surveillance data for the European Union/European Economic Area. Their annual reports on salmonellosis offer a broader, long-term perspective on trends, common serotypes, and food sources across a large population.
Data and Results Summary: The ECDC's "Annual Epidemiological Report for 2022" on salmonellosis noted a significant increase in cases after the decline observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The report highlighted that Salmonella Enteritidis was the most frequently reported serovar and that eggs and egg products remained a primary risk food.
Data Table from an ECDC Report: The following table from the ECDC's 2022 report shows the regional distribution of non-typhoidal Salmonella laboratory reports in England, providing an example of the specific, granular data available.
| Region | Laboratory reports | Laboratory reports per 100,000 population |
| East Midlands | 566 | 11.5 |
| East of England | 854 | 13.4 |
| London | 1631 | 18.4 |
| North East | 408 | 15.2 |
| North West | 920 | 12.2 |
| South East | 1,414 | 15.1 |
| South West | 830 | 14.4 |
| West Midlands | 765 | 12.7 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | 737 | 13.3 |
Export to Sheets
World Health Organization (WHO) - Fact Sheets and Outbreak Notices: The WHO provides a global perspective on diseases and outbreaks. While their reports may be less specific to a single, local outbreak, they offer a foundational understanding of the disease's global burden, common transmission routes, and prevention strategies.
Data and Results Summary: A WHO fact sheet on non-typhoidal Salmonella highlights that the bacteria are widespread in domestic and wild animals. It emphasizes that human infection is generally contracted through contaminated food of animal origin, such as eggs, meat, poultry, and milk. It also notes that antimicrobial resistance is a growing global concern.
Summary of Major Findings on Salmonella
Based on these sources, the major findings on salmonellosis are as follows:
Prevalence: It is a leading cause of foodborne illness worldwide, with a substantial global burden. The incidence is highest in infants and young children.
Transmission: The primary source of human infection is contaminated food of animal origin, particularly raw or undercooked eggs, poultry, and meat. Other sources include fresh produce contaminated by animal feces and contact with infected animals like reptiles and backyard poultry. Person-to-person transmission is also possible through the fecal-oral route.
Clinical Presentation: Most people experience a self-limiting illness characterized by diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps that last for 4 to 7 days. However, severe cases can lead to dehydration, and some individuals, particularly the very young, elderly, and immunocompromised, may require hospitalization or face life-threatening complications.
Surveillance: Outbreaks are often identified through a combination of epidemiological data (illness clusters) and laboratory surveillance (isolating the same serotype from multiple patients). Traceback investigations are a crucial part of identifying the contaminated food or animal source.
Sample Answer
When managing a Salmonella outbreak, an epidemiological manager needs to consult several relevant and reliable data sources to understand the scope, identify the source, and implement effective control measures. These sources provide crucial data on case counts, demographics, serotypes, and potential transmission vehicles.
Relevant and Reliable Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Outbreak Investigations: The CDC's website is a primary resource for tracking and reporting multi-state outbreaks in the United States. It provides real-time information on ongoing investigations, including case counts by state, hospitalization and death statistics, and the specific food or animal linked to the outbreak.