UK Salmonella Outbreak: This summer, a shocking Salmonella outbreak shook the US with 300+ cases reported from 27 states. Now, a similar situation seems to be unfolding in the UK after imported eggs linked to Salmonella caused 1 casualty & over 200 others to get sick.
UK Salmonella Outbreak: 1 Dead & Over 200 Sick After Consuming Imported Eggs
1 person has died and 200+ have gotten sick after eating imported eggs in a massive salmonella outbreak. According to the UKHSA, 207 cases have been reported across the UK. A probe has now been launched.
UK Salmonella Outbreak: List of Affected Areas
Some of the UK’s affected areas from the salmonella outbreak include:
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London (47 cases)
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Yorkshire & the Humber (38 cases)
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North West England (26 cases)
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South West England (24 cases)
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East of England: 17 cases
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East Midlands: 12 cases
Cases have also been reported from England’s neighbouring countries Scotland and Wales.
What is Salmonella?
Salmonella is a type of bacteria that occurs in all types of foods, ranging from processed nut butters to fresh fruits and vegetables. The bacteria causes salmonellosis, a disease which affects the human digestive tract.
Salmonella Infection: Symptoms & Treatment
Some common symptoms of a salmonella infection include
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Diarrhea
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High fever
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Severe stomach cramps
These symptoms generally occur within 6 hours and 8 days after getting infected. With the proper treatment, most people can recover from it within a week. However, some groups like infants, older adults, and individuals with compromised immune systems have a higher risk of hospitalisation.
UK Salmonella Outbreak: Local Authorities Response
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the Food Standards Agency (FSA), and local public health authorities have launched a massive probe into the ongoing salmonella outbreak. Local public health laboratories are using Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) to analyze patient stool samples. While the probe is still in its preliminary stages, the NSA has confimed that all 207 cases can be traced back to an identical single-strain cluster
