Alarming rise in listeriosis and salmonel­losis in the EU

Cases of listeriosis reached their highest level since 2007 in 2023. Campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis remain the most frequently reported zoonotic diseases in the EU. This is evident from the annual EU One Health Zoonoses Report by EFSA and ECDC. The report shows a slight decline in foodborne outbreaks but highlights a concerning increase in hospitalisations and fatalities.

Older adults vulnerable to Listeria monocytogenes

In 2023, 2,952 cases of listeriosis were reported, marking a rise that has continued for four years. Europe’s ageing population plays a role in this trend. Over 21% of the population is now over 65, and chronic conditions make this group more susceptible to severe symptoms. Contaminated ready-to-eat products such as smoked salmon, meat products, and dairy are often the source. Among fermented sausages, 0.78% of tested samples exceeded legal safety limits, the highest level in this category.

Salmonella remains a persistent issue

Campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis continue to raise significant concerns in the EU, with tens of thousands of cases reported annually. In 2023, 148,181 cases of campylobacteriosis and 77,486 cases of salmonellosis were recorded. Eggs, mixed foods, and poultry meat are the most common sources of salmonellosis. Only 15 Member States managed to meet all EU reduction targets for Salmonella in poultry, fewer than the 19 that succeeded in 2022.

Technology boosts food safety

New technologies, such as whole genome sequencing, improve surveillance and enable faster detection of outbreaks. However, more effort is required to address the rising numbers of hospitalisations and fatalities. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the risks and includes interactive dashboards for further analysis.

Read the report: ‘The European Union One Health 2023 Zoonoses report’
Efsa.eu