Assessment on potential impact of multi state outbreaks of Salmonella bareilly and Salmonella nchanga infection in USA to China

Objective To assess the potential impact of multi state outbreaks of Salmonella bareilly and Salmonella nchanga infection associated with contaminated tuna in USA to China. Methods The information of the outbreaks was collected from CDC and FDA database of USA and previous outbreak data of the 2 pathogens were obtained through literature retrieval to conduct the analysis on the potential impact to public health in China. Results Although some people in coastal and inland areas of China have habit to eat raw tuna, no this batch of contaminated tuna was exported from USA to China. The sino-USA collaborative program on emerging and reemerging infectious diseases has sufficient capacity to detect Salmonella infections. China CDC and most provincial CDC have the capacity of Salmonella identification and typing. Conclusion The risk of this Salmonella bareilly and Salmonella nchanga epidemic to spread to China is low, but close attention should be paid to the epidemic trend and updated risk assessment in USA. A second round risk assessment might be launched depending on the investigation and progress of the disease control. It is necessary to strengthen the inspection and quarantine of imported sea foods and educate people not to eat raw tuna.