Salmonella jumps AGAIN: Health chiefs announce 50 new deadly infections in just a week and urge Britons to avoid runny egg

More than 50 new cases of salmonella have been identified in the last week amid three major outbreaks linked to imported eggs, health officials have said.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has today confirmed a total of 528 cases – a jump from 474 last Thursday.

A total of 305 infections have been recorded in the current spread, in a rise from 259 this time last week. One person has died as a result of this outbreak, while another died in a separate spread.

Investigations are ongoing but health chiefs believe imported eggs are the likely culprit for the crisis. British cases so far have been linked to eating out ‘from small cafes, restaurants and takeaway businesses’, the UKHSA said.

Cases of salmonella are also being seen across six other European countries – Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany and the Netherlands – with public health officials rushing to identify the exact source.

While the UKHSA has identified a ‘link to imported eggs’, Dutch health officials have investigated chicken products as a possible source of infection.

Food safety chiefs are urging Britons to avoid ‘raw or lightly cooked egg’ products such as mousses, mayonnaise or hollandaise sauce.

Vulnerable groups – including over-65s, pregnant women and under-fives – have also continuously been advised to avoid runny eggs when eating out. 

Officials say there is no evidence that eggs produced in the UK pose any risk.

The risks posed by salmonella are serious.

They include stomach cramps, diarrhoea, severe dehydration, blood poisoning, organ failure and even death.

It is typically caught by eating contaminated food such as poultry, meat, eggs, raw fruit and vegetables and unpasteurised dairy products.

It can trigger symptoms such as a fever and vomiting which clear in a few days, but those most at risk of fatal complications include infants, pregnant women, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.

Hannah Charles, Lead Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: ‘We continue to work closely with the Food Standards Agency and other public health partners to investigate these Salmonella clusters.

‘Our investigation to date indicates a link to imported eggs, however this investigation remains ongoing. We will continue to follow up cases and investigate any further common sources if they come to light.

‘It is important to emphasise that the overall risk to the public remains low. In England, all Salmonella samples from patients seen in hospitals or primary care are routinely analysed using Whole Genome Sequencing, helping us identify and investigate potential outbreaks quickly.’

Professor Ian Young, Chief Scientific Adviser for the Food Standards Agency said:  ‘Our food safety advice remains the same: eggs that are thoroughly cooked and handled hygienically should not present a food safety risk. 

‘Infants, young children, pregnant people and older adults should only eat raw or lightly cooked eggs if they carry the British Lion mark or are produced under the Laid in Britain scheme. 

‘This advice does not apply to those who are severely immunocompromised and require medically supervised diets, who should continue to follow individual medical advice.

‘If you’re eating out or buying food that contains eggs, you may not know if these carry the British Lion mark or are Laid in Britain assured. 

‘If this is the case, when eating out the safest approach for vulnerable people is to ensure they’re thoroughly cooked and to avoid dishes containing raw or lightly cooked egg, such as mousses, fresh mayonnaise or hollandaise sauce.

‘As with any foodborne illness, good hygiene remains your best protection: store and cook food according to the packet instructions, wash your hands thoroughly before handling food and always after handling raw meat, poultry and eggs.’

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.