Human infections with Salmonella enterica serovar Napoli are uncommon in Europe. However, these infections represented 5.9% of salmonellosis cases in Italy during 2014-2015. The source of infection is unknown. We analyzed surveillance data and compared strain genetic similarities and found that contaminated vegetables and surface water are probable sources of human infection.
Keywords: Italy; Salmonella enterica serovar Napoli; bacteria; environment; epidemiology; food contamination; food safety; human infections; infections; molecular analysis; reemergence; salmonellosis; surface water; vegetables; waterborne disease; zoonoses.