Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40394450›Full record

ArticleInfection2025

A large outbreak of multiple Salmonella serovars linked to alfalfa sprouts in Norway, October to December 2024.

Arthur Rakover, Liz E Ødeskaug, Hilde Lund, Heidi Lange, Karina Kaupang, Taran O Skjerdal, Laila Jensvoll, Bjarne Bergsjø, Polina Katsiouleri, Lamprini Veneti and 3 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Infection, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Phylodynamic analysis ofMicrobial genomics · 2026
    Article
  3. Article
  4. Multi-cluster outbreak ofEpidemiology and infection · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Arthur RakoverNorwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway. Arthur.rakover@fhi.no.
Liz E ØdeskaugNorwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
Hilde LundNorwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
Heidi LangeNorwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
Karina KaupangThe Norwegian Food Safety Authority, Oslo, Norway.
Taran O SkjerdalNorwegian Veterinary Institute, Oslo, Norway.
Laila JensvollThe Norwegian Food Safety Authority, Oslo, Norway.
Bjarne BergsjøNorwegian Veterinary Institute, Oslo, Norway.
Polina KatsiouleriNorwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
Lamprini VenetiNorwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
Umaer NaseerNorwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
Lin T BrandalNorwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
Outbreak Investigation Team

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThis study investigates a nationwide Salmonella outbreak in Norway during October-December 2024 involving four different serovars-S. Newport, S. Typhimurium, S. Kisarawe, and S. Kinondoni. The investigation aimed to assess the outbreak's scope, identify the source, and implement control measures.

methodsEpidemiological analyses included trawling and targeted questionnaires, a matched case-control study, and grocery receipt analysis. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) determined genetic links between Salmonella isolates from human cases, food, and environmental samples. Traceback investigations identified potential contamination sources.

resultsA total of 230 cases (69% female, median age: 48 years) were identified, with 33% requiring hospitalization. Sprout consumption was reported by 69% of cases interviewed through trawling or targeted questionnaires. Grocery receipts were collected from some of the cases, and half of these had purchased sprouts. A matched case-control study found cases to be associated with consumption of sprouts (penalized adjusted odds ratio of 3.13). WGS established genetic links between clinical, food, and environmental isolates, identifying alfalfa sprouts as the outbreak source. Traceback investigations identified potential risk associated with seeds from an Italian supplier, previously associated with two Salmonella outbreaks in Norway in 2024 and multiple outbreaks across the European Union. The Italian supplier reported negative findings for Salmonella in their self-monitoring checks on seeds sent to Norway. Control measures included product withdrawal, seed batch quarantine, and public health advisories.

conclusionThis multi-serovar outbreak highlights the public health risks associated with consumption of raw sprouts and emphasizes the need for improved detection methods and stricter regulations to prevent future outbreaks.

Indexed as

Disease OutbreaksMedicago sativaSalmonellaSalmonella Food PoisoningSalmonella InfectionsAdolescentAdultAgedCase-Control StudiesFemaleFood MicrobiologyHumansMaleMiddle AgedNorwaySerogroupCase control studyMultiple serovarsNorwaySalmonella outbreakSproutsWhole genome sequencing

Identifiers

PMID40394450
PMCPMC12460573

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.