UK Salmonella outbreak linked to eggs from Poland, study claims

According to a recent study, researchers have claimed that there is indication that an outbreak of foodborne inflection in the UK in April 2023 was a Salmonella Enteritidis infection, with an ongoing investigation having “indicated links to imported eggs from Poland”.

Following the outbreak linked to a restaurant being reported to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) East of England Health Protection Team (HPT), researchers conducted a study using whole genome sequencing (WGS).

The results of the study, published in the journal Eurosurveillance, indicated a Salmonella Enteritidis infection, with the research team stating “all cases in a 5-single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) cluster [fell] into a wider genomically diverse 10-SNP cluster investigated in several countries”.

The research team also highlighted that they identified further cases in the 5-SNP cluster, but stated these had “no known links to the restaurant, and historical cases reported since July 2022”.

When looking at cases linked to the restaurant, the researchers stated that, of the 47 confirmed cases that have been investigated, “25 were linked to the restaurant”. What’s more, they noted that there were “18 probable cases with restaurant exposure”.

Salmonella serotyping – from reference to routine lab

According to epidemiological investigations, eggs or chicken have been suggested as “the most likely cause of the outbreak”. However, the researchers said they were “unable to distinguish between those two food vehicles”.

They went on to explain that ongoing food chain investigations have surfaced “links to imported eggs from Poland”.

New Food will keep its readers updated with any developments.