During November 2021-May 2022, we identified 37 clinical cases of Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus infections in central Italy. Epidemiologic investigations 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.
Keywords: Italy; Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus; arthritis; bacteria; food safety; foodborne outbreak; meningitis/encephalitis; raw milk dairy products; septicemia; streptococci; whole genome sequencing; zoonosis.