Evaluating gulls as potential vehicles of Salmonella enterica serotype Newport (JJPX01.0061) contamination of tomatoes grown on the eastern shore of Virginia.

Salmonella enterica serovar Newport pattern JJPX01.0061 has been identified as causing several multistate outbreaks in the last 10 years, primarily due to contamination of tomatoes grown in Virginia. The goal of this study was to evaluate gulls as a potential vehicle of S. Newport pattern 61 contamination for tomatoes grown on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Gull fecal samples were collected at four sites in eastern Virginia for 3 months (May to July) in 2012, resulting in 360 samples, among which Salmonella was isolated from 62 samples. Twenty-two serotypes and 26 pulsed-field gel electrophoresis DNA fingerprint patterns, including S. Newport pattern 61, were identified. All of the patterns that were isolated multiple times, with the exception of S. Newport patterns JJPX01.0030 and JJPX01.0061, were clustered in time and geographical location. These results strongly suggest that both patterns of S. Newport are endemic to sites on the Eastern Shore where gulls were sampled. This study provides additional information regarding the epidemiology of S. Newport pattern 61 in Virginia and how tomatoes sold interstate may become contaminated in the field.