Attempt to estimate the share of human Salmonella infections, which are attributable to Salmonella originating from swine]

On the basis of the data obtained in 1996 and 1997 in Germany on the frequency of detection of Salmonella and also of single Salmonella serovars in foods and infected humans, attempts were made to assess the relevance of Salmonella from swine as a source of human infection. Four assumptions considered as reasonable were made concerning the development of human salmonellosis. On the basis of these assumptions, a model for the estimation of the share of human Salmonella infections attributable to the swine population is proposed. According to this, ca. 20% of human cases of salmonellosis have been caused by Salmonella originating from swine.