09 October 2026
According to surveillance data compiled by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), human salmonellosis cases increased markedly in 2025. Epidemiological surveillance and source-attribution models identify the poultry sector, particularly laying hens and contaminated eggs, as well as broiler meat, as major contributors to this increased public health risk.
In 2025, Salmonella was isolated from 1,736 laboratory-confirmed human cases, exceeding the numbers reported in both 2023 and 2024 and surpassing pre-COVID-19 baseline levels. S. Enteritidis was isolated from 694 patients, the highest annual total recorded since 2004. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) revealed that this increase was associated with dozens of small, genetically diverse clusters rather than a single point-source outbreak, suggesting widespread dissemination throughout the poultry production and supply chain.
The Dutch source-attribution model estimated that laying hens, primarily through the consumption of raw or undercooked table eggs, accounted for approximately 32% of human salmonellosis cases in 2025.
Laying Hen Flocks: High levels of contamination persisted, with a flock-level prevalence of approximately 4.99% (119 infected flocks, 115 of which were positive for S. Enteritidis). As this exceeded the European Union's statutory target of 2%, enhanced monitoring protocols were implemented in 2025, requiring regular flock sampling every 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the birds' age.
Broilers and Breeding Flocks: Among breeding flocks, 14 of 1,218 tested positive, predominantly for S. Enteritidis. Among broiler flocks, 36 tested positive for the EU target serovars S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium. Elevated detection rates were also reported for non-target serovars, including S. Infantis and S. Paratyphi B var. Java.
Retail Meat Surveillance: Retail sampling detected Salmonella in 4.0% of fresh chicken meat samples and 4.6% of chilled chicken meat preparations.
Two substantial human S. Enteritidis clusters were linked to poultry meat through trace-back investigations.
Source: RIVM / NVWA, State of Zoonoses 2025.
