Aim: To investigate an increase in Salmonella typhimurium phage type 1 (STM1) cases identified in the Gisborne region (eastern North Island, New Zealand) in January 2009.
Methods: Initial investigations found that ham and watermelon were both consumed by a high proportion of cases. A case control study was conducted to determine if there was an association between cases of STM1 in Gisborne and consumption of ham or watermelon.