One dead and hundreds ill in UK salmonella outbreak
Most of the cases were in England in recent weeks, linked to eating imported eggs, experts believe.
A lethal salmonella outbreak has struck the UK, leaving one individual dead and over 200 others afflicted, according to experts. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is currently investigating the source of the outbreak, which has been traced to eggs imported from abroad. The investigation involves more than 207 cases reported in the past year, with the majority surfacing in recent weeks.
Symptoms of the bacterial infection include stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever, typically appearing within 12 to 72 hours of infection. Most individuals recover without medical intervention, but two cases have developed severe blood poisoning. Regardless, the majority of those affected have made a full recovery.
The majority of the cases have been concentrated in England, with 199 out of the 207 instances occurring within the country, including 47 in London and 38 in Yorkshire and Humber. Scotland has reported six cases, while Wales and Northern Ireland have each recorded one case. Hannah Charles, a lead epidemiologist for gastrointestinal infections at the UKHSA, stated that the agency is collaborating with the Food Standards Agency and other public health organizations to determine whether the outbreak is linked to eggs imported from outside the UK.
Salmonella can be found in various food sources, including raw or undercooked poultry, meat, and eggs. Properly preparing and cooking food, as well as washing hands before and after using the bathroom and handling food, can prevent infection. This specific outbreak is more unusual, as it involves a single strain of the bacterium affecting numerous individuals simultaneously. Experts believe there could be additional cases yet to be reported.
The UKHSA emphasizes that extensive epidemiological and food chain investigations are ongoing to identify the source of the outbreak, though egg consumption appears to be the strongest potential link at this time. Most of the affected food businesses use imported eggs. At present, there is no identified connection to eggs produced in the UK or poultry. The UKHSA asserts that the risk to the general public remains low.
Written by urgent.news from BBC Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
