Infection Eye
A source-checked briefing on the infection, microbiology, outbreak and antimicrobial-stewardship stories circulating on 10–11 September 2026.
New IDSA/ESCMID consensus statements reshape the approach to S. aureus bacteraemia
Part 1 of the 2026 IDSA/ESCMID consensus statements was published on 9 September. The key conceptual shift is away from a simple “complicated/uncomplicated” binary and towards dynamic risk stratification for deep-seated or metastatic infection.
The panel suggests at least two sets of follow-up blood cultures at 48 hours after the first positive sample, then every 24–48 hours until clearance. Routine TTE is suggested for adults. TEE is suggested after a negative TTE when increased-risk features for endocarditis are present. Whole-body or targeted multimodality imaging is suggested for increased-risk patients when the focus remains unknown.
Sources and verification
UK Salmonella Enteritidis: three WGS-defined clusters, 549 confirmed cases in England
UKHSA’s week 36 release confirms that the three genetically distinct clusters are being investigated in parallel because genomic, epidemiological and food-exposure evidence suggests a possible association with imported eggs.
| Cluster | Cases | Deaths | Latest sample date |
|---|---|---|---|
| t5.9411 | 322 | 1 | 21 Aug 2026 |
| t0.24068 | 186 | 0 | 18 Aug 2026 |
| t5.9765 | 41 | 1 | 11 Aug 2026 |
UKHSA states that all Salmonella cultured from patients in England undergo WGS. The t5.9411 strain is also part of a multi-country European outbreak. The Food Standards Agency says a definitive source has not yet been identified, although investigations have identified potential links to imported eggs. There is no evidence that UK-produced eggs are affected.
Sources and verification
CDC warns about rising rabies exposures and PEP administration errors
CDC HAN 00533 reports that rabies-related enquiries in July–August 2026 were 17% higher than the same period in 2025. Pharmacy data to 2 September showed estimated increases of 33% in rabies vaccine use and 76% in HRIG use.
Common errors included gluteal vaccine administration, failure to infiltrate HRIG around wounds, co-administration of HRIG and vaccine at the same anatomical site, omitted HRIG when indicated, and incorrect vaccine schedules.
WHO prequalifies multidose maternal RSVpreF vaccine presentation
WHO prequalified the multidose vial presentation of RSVpreF (Abrysvo) on 9 September 2026. WHO says this could improve affordability and logistics, particularly for Gavi-supported introduction. It follows prequalification of the single-dose presentation in March 2025.
Source
Netherlands: 18 locally acquired West Nile infections and three deaths
RIVM’s 10 September update reports 18 human infections acquired in the Netherlands in 2026, including three deaths. Human infections have occurred in Utrecht, North Brabant, North Holland, South Holland, Overijssel and Gelderland.
RIVM also reports 39 infected wild birds and three positive mosquito pools by 9 September, supporting established local circulation.
Cefepime mortality meta-analysis: important signal, but broader dataset changes the headline
The original discussion focused on 73 published RCTs involving 15,411 patients. In that published-only analysis, the mortality OR was 1.17 (95% credible interval 1.02–1.34), with a 98.6% posterior probability that mortality was higher with cefepime.
The full analysis is larger: 110 trials and 22,608 patients, including unpublished and FDA-provided trials. In the overall dataset the OR was 1.10 (95% CrI 0.98–1.24), with a 94.4% posterior probability that the OR exceeded 1.
MenB remains dominant in young people: 97% of IMD in 15–24-year-olds
UKHSA’s newly published 2025/26 annual report recorded 348 laboratory-confirmed invasive meningococcal disease cases in England. MenB accounted for 309 (88.8%) overall and 93 of 96 cases (97%) among 15–24-year-olds.
UKHSA is using these data to reinforce the time-limited two-dose MenB offer for eligible students before the university term.
England: 983 laboratory-confirmed measles cases to 31 August
UKHSA reports 983 laboratory-confirmed cases in England from 1 January to 31 August 2026. Activity peaked in May and has since declined. London accounts for 501 cases (51%) and the West Midlands for 154 (16%).
Three measles-related deaths have been reported in 2026. The most recent four weeks are subject to reporting lag.
Salmonella Bovismorbificans outbreak linked to broccoli sprouts
FDA reports 22 illnesses across four states, two hospitalisations and no deaths. Epidemiological and traceback data link the outbreak to broccoli sprouts grown by Evergreen Fresh Sprouts, LLC. Recalled products had expiration dates from 7 to 16 September.
US Cyclospora season: 19,595 confirmed domestically acquired cases
CDC’s latest surveillance update records 19,595 laboratory-confirmed domestically acquired cases since 1 May, with 1,043 hospitalisations and two deaths. These totals include, but are not limited to, the large iceberg-lettuce outbreak.
The lettuce-linked outbreak itself stood at 11,458 cases, 495 hospitalisations and two deaths in CDC’s 3 September update.
H5 avian influenza activity continues in US animals
USDA APHIS continues to report HPAI activity in domestic and wild birds and updated its avian-influenza information on 10 September. CDC continues to describe the public-health risk to the general public as low while monitoring exposed people.
Tuscany dengue cluster: authoritative surveillance reports 20 locally acquired cases in the Livorno area
Italy’s Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) reports 265 confirmed dengue cases nationally from 1 January to 8 September 2026. Of these, 24 were locally acquired and 241 were travel-associated. No deaths were reported.
The larger local transmission episode comprises 20 symptomatic cases with exposure in one municipality in Livorno province, Tuscany. A second cluster comprises four cases in Lecce province, Puglia. Vector-control and epidemiological investigations are ongoing.
Polish botulism alert: official warning concerns one batch of Łowicz green pesto
Poland’s Chief Sanitary Inspectorate (GIS) issued a public warning on 28 August for one batch of Łowicz Pesto alla Genovese, batch L 605192FE I, best before August 2027.
The official notice states that testing during an epidemiological investigation found the ntnh gene in one product sample, indicating possible botulinum-toxin contamination. A market withdrawal was initiated.
Waitrose pitted black olives recalled for Listeria monocytogenes
The Food Standards Agency issued FSA-PRIN-44-2026 on 10 September. Waitrose Essential Pitted Black Olives are being recalled because of contamination with L. monocytogenes.
The FSA highlights particular risk for people aged over 65, pregnant women and unborn babies, infants under one month, and people with weakened immune systems.
H1N1pdm09 double mutant shows reduced oseltamivir susceptibility in Dutch surveillance
RIVM’s 2025/26 surveillance reports that 437 of 665 characterised A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses (66%) carried NA-S247N; 40 of those 437 (9.2%) also carried NA-I223V. The double mutant crossed the WHO threshold for reduced oseltamivir susceptibility.
Two additional H1N1pdm09 viruses carried NA-H275Y, which is associated with marked oseltamivir resistance. No known baloxavir resistance substitutions were identified in the characterised H1N1pdm09 viruses.