The Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) sequence type 8 (ST8) clone has emerged as a dominant epidemic clone strongly associated with community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA) infections worldwide. However, documentation of this clone in China remains sparse.

This report documents the first staphylococcal food poisoning outbreak in Zhejiang Province, China, caused by methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) of the ST8 (CC8)-spa t024 lineage harboring enterotoxin genes sea, seq, and sek. Whole-genome phylogenetic analysis revealed that the outbreak strains belonged to a distinct evolutionary subclade (Clade II.1). These strains demonstrated close genetic relatedness to previously reported European lineages.

The identification of the ST8-spa t024 MSSA strain carrying sea, seq, and sek genes underscores the substantial public health risk in China. This finding highlights the emerging threat of foodborne illnesses caused by novel or under-recognized S. aureus ST8 strains and emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced surveillance of CA-S. aureus among food handlers to prevent future outbreaks.

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a Gram-positive, halotolerant bacterium. Enterotoxin-producing strains of S. aureus can cause foodborne outbreaks in humans, with incubation periods typically ranging from 1 to 6 hours.

Investigation identified 22 cases aged 9–61 years. All patients experienced diarrhea. Durian mille-feuille cakes were identified as the suspected food vehicle. cgMLST analysis demonstrated that clinical isolates, food samples, and food handler isolates exhibited minimal genetic divergence.

Comprehensive hygiene control measures throughout the production chain are critical for cold-processed pastries, encompassing thorough fruit sanitation, rigorous microbial monitoring of raw ingredients, robust employee health surveillance, and uninterrupted cold chain maintenance with storage temperatures consistently below 4 °C. Franchise food operations demand enhanced regulatory oversight despite decentralized supply chains, underscoring the necessity for uniform food safety protocols implemented across all retail outlets.

In China, both imported and locally transmitted Chikungunya fever (CHIKF) cases have been documented in southern provinces. The urban transmission chain comprises three critical links: viremic humans, the extrinsic incubation period (EIP, 2–10 days), and the intrinsic incubation period (IIP, 1–12 days).

This outbreak in Fujian Province demonstrated that in a non-endemic area for CHIKF, the introduction of an imported viremic case combined with the presence of local Aedes mosquitoes can establish local transmission within approximately 9 days through mosquito vectors.

In regions with established Aedes mosquito populations, imported CHIKF cases may trigger import-driven local transmission if vector control measures are delayed or inadequately implemented. During epidemic seasons, upon identifying imported cases, public health authorities should immediately map the patients’ viremic-phase activity areas, delineate high-risk zones, and implement targeted mosquito elimination measures.

Streptococcus parasuis was historically classified as serotypes 20, 22, and 26 of Streptococcus suis. Limited availability of suitable detection methods has resulted in scarce case reports, which have predominantly focused on bacterial identification and pathogenic mechanisms rather than comprehensive epidemiological investigations.

This study confirmed the first documented human case of Streptococcus parasuis infection in Henan Province through comprehensive genetic sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that this strain exhibits substantial genetic divergence from previously isolated domestic strains. Notably, the patient reported no documented history of livestock contact, indicating that environmental exposure may represent a critical transmission route.

This investigation underscores the urgent need to strengthen environmental surveillance and implement rigorous disinfection protocols for Streptococcus parasuis, while expanding monitoring efforts to encompass both high-risk occupational groups and the general population. Development and deployment of rapid diagnostic reagents should be prioritized to prevent underdiagnosis in cases lacking documented livestock exposure history.