An outbreak of Salmonella Waycross related to sandpit contamination in a Gold Coast childcare centre, Queensland, Australia, 2024.

Abstract

Salmonella Waycross is a serovar with limited published literature on its reservoirs and epidemiology. In April 2024, the Gold Coast Public Health Unit (GCPHU) identified an outbreak of S. Waycross at a childcare centre in Queensland, Australia, following notifications of acute enterocolitis in children under five years of age. Whole-genome sequencing linked two confirmed cases to environmental contamination in the centre's sandpit. The multi-disciplinary investigation highlights the potential for non-foodborne transmission of Salmonella in childcare settings, emphasising the importance of environmental surveillance in enteric outbreaks. The outbreak response led to the removal of contaminated sand and implementation of enhanced infection control measures in line with national guidelines. These findings contribute to the understanding of S. Waycross epidemiology and illustrate the potential for persistence and transmission of the contaminant in outdoor play environments. More broadly, the investigation adds to growing evidence that sandpits can act as transmission pathways for enteric infections. It reinforces the importance of basic prevention practices, such as hand hygiene after sandpit use, and supports the need to consider additional evidence-based strategies to reduce the risk of sandpit-related illness in children.