Study highlights need for Salmonella awareness

A study on human Salmonella brandenburg infection indicates rural communities need to be more aware of infectious diseases spreading from animals to humans.

The bacteria causes gastrointestinal illness. It was initially confined in New Zealand to sheep and rural workers associated with animal husbandry.

The study by Otago University's John Holmes said rates of Salmonella brandenburg in people had decreased slightly in recent years.

But there were increasing rates of infection in people less directly involved in agriculture, Holmes said.