SALMONELLA-ENTERITIDIS IN ARGENTINA

A significant increase in the number of isolations of Salmonella enter itidis has been observed in Argentina since 1986. Outbreaks of foodbor ne diseases in humans were associated with the consumption of raw or u ndercooked hens' eggs. Between 1986 and the first 6 months of 1993 the re were 150 outbreaks reported, affecting more than 6000 persons. A to tal of 71.3% of these outbreaks were confirmed by stool cultures, and 47.3% by bacteriological study of the food implicated in the outbreak. A permanent surveillance of salmonellosis is imperative, taking into account the persistence of Salmonella enteritidis isolations in sporad ic cases and in new outbreaks.