Salmonella outbreak in UK caused by Belgium chocolates?
India Today
UK reported a Salmonella outbreak and investigations have linked the outbreak to Belgium chocolates.
The United Kingdom on Wednesday notified the World Health Organisation (WHO) of a number of Salmonella cases and investigations have linked the outbreak to Belgium chocolates. A total of 151 suspected Salmonella cases linked to the consumption of Belgium chocolate products have been reported from over 11 countries.
WHO was informed by a UN health body of a widely distributed cluster of S Typhimurium with an unidentified source. However, epidemiological evidence has linked the outbreak to chocolate products from Belgium.
According to WHO, these contaminated chocolate products are in stores in at least 113 countries.
Salmonella is one of the most common food-borne infections. Salmonella- is a type of bacteria that causes symptoms including diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps in humans.
The salmonella bacteria can cause serious and severe infections, especially in children or elderly people and others with weak immune systems. Earlier, a Kinder chocolate factory in Belgium was ordered to close after it was linked to dozens of salmonella cases.
As of April 25, a total of 151 genetically related cases of S. Typhimurium suspected to be linked to the consumption of Belgium chocolate products have been reported. Belgium has reported 26 cases, France 25 and Germany 10. UK is the worst affected with 65 cases so far.
Usually, Salmonella infections are mild and do not require treatment. But for cases with information on symptoms and severity, a high hospitalisation rate was observed.
