SALMONELLAE - A SURVEY

For the past 10 years or so we have observed a worldwide increase in d iseases in man and animal caused by the causal organisms of infections which we thought had already been brought under control. The latest e xample of this is the outbreak of plague in cases in India last year. Tuberculosis in man and the increase in cases of cholera and diphtheri a are further examples. Amongst farm animals swine fever and foot and mouth disease are significant in this connection. The present situatio n shows that infectious micro-organisms are undergoing something of a ''renaissance'' in biological and scientific terms and that particular ly in industrial countries the danger from infectious diseases has bee n neglected for far too long. A steady rise in cases of enteritis caus ed by salmonellae has been observed for some years - at least until 19 92. This trend is paradoxical in some ways as fewer salmonellae organi sms are found during official inspection of animals and of feed and fo od; the number of cases has steadily risen whilst on the other hand en ormous progress has been made in the field of hygiene.