Objective To investigate the epidemiological and etiological characteristics of suspected foodborne disease cases caused by Salmonella infection in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, from 2020 to 2024, so as to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of Salmonella infections.

Methods Descriptive statistical methods were used to analyze the case data and epidemiological characteristics of suspected Salmonella infection reported by 9 sentinel hospitals in Taizhou City. The Salmonella detection rates among different time periods, populations and regions, as well as the correlations between serotype distribution and food categories were compared.

Results From 2020 to 2024, a total of 21 751 suspected Salmonella infection cases with biological samples were reported in Taizhou City, with 2 502 strains of Salmonella detected and an average detection rate of 11.50%. The detection rate of Salmonella was the highest in 2024 (14.78%). The seasonal distribution indicated higher detection rates in the second and third quarters (77.26%). The age distribution showed the highest detection rate in children aged 0‒<3 years old (51.78%), and the coastal districts and counties had a higher detection rate (14.61%). There was no statistically significant difference between males and females (P=0.786). A total of 125 Salmonella serotypes were isolated, among which the predominant serotype were SalmonellaTyphimurium (48.48%), SalmonellaEnteritidis (12.15%), and Salmonella London (8.39%). The three food categories closely associated with the predominant Salmonella Typhimurium were infant food, meat and meat products, and cereal and its products.

Conclusion Children aged 0‒<3 years are high-risk groups for Salmonella infection in Taizhou City.The predominant serotype was SalmonellaTyphimurium. Meat and meat products, cereal products, aquatic products as well as infant food were the main high-risk foods. It is suggested to strengthen the key supervision on critical links such as food processing, so as to achieve early warning and effective control of Salmonella infections.