UK Salmonella outbreak investigated: possible food supply chain issue

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) investigated an outbreak of Salmonella that affected more than 50 people in 2024. The investigation was opened because of the number of ill people and the suspicion of an internationally distributed vehicle of infection. Up to September 2024, 54 cases were reported in England, Scotland, and Wales. Patients ranged in age from 2 to 85, with the most affected group between 50 and 59. Ten cases required hospitalisation. The cluster of Salmonella Blockley infections was identified through the analysis of whole genome sequencing (WGS) data.
The UKHSA said there was no indication of travel before the illness. It indicates a potential issue with the international food supply chain, though the source of the outbreak remains unknown. The agency observed that genetically similar Salmonella Blockley infections have been identified in two other European countries. However, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said there had been no related assessment at the European level. Therefore, it is unclear if there is a link between the UK outbreak and Salmonella cases on the continent, which saw a significant increase in 2023.