Salmonellosis in lambing ewes with associated human infection

Abstract Salmonellosis in sheep is an infrequent diagnosis, but outbreaks do occur with abortion, diarrhoea and death possible sequelae. In this case, affecting a flock of 4000 ewes, Salmonella typhimurium definitive phage type 104 was isolated from clinical cases and a variety of environmental samples taken from the farm. The isolates were multidrug resistant with resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulphonamides and tetracyclines (resistance type). During the case, three people associated with the case became unwell with salmonellosis. The direct and indirect costs associated with the outbreak were extensive, highlighting the need for effective biosecurity measures to prevent introduction into farms and within a farm once present. Vaccination for prevention is possible, although licensed products and evidence‐based protocols are not available in all countries.