Severe Streptococcus equi Subspecies zooepidemicus Outbreak from Unpasteurized Dairy Product Consumption, Italy

During November 2021-May 2022, we identified 37 clinical cases of Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepi-demicus infections in central Italy. Epidemiologic in-vestigations and whole-genome sequencing showed unpasteurized fresh dairy products were the outbreak source. Early diagnosis by using sequencing technology prevented the spread of life-threatening S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus infections.

Automated summary

Between November 2021 and May 2022, there were 37 clinical cases of Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus infections in central Italy. Epidemiologic investigations and whole-genome sequencing revealed that unpasteurized fresh dairy products were the source of the outbreak. Early diagnosis using sequencing technology prevented the spread of life-threatening S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus infections.