By Trend News Line 2024-03-22 04:03:00.
Increased Number of Patients in Multi-Country Salmonella Outbreak
Over 100 additional patients have been linked to a Salmonella outbreak that originated in 2021 and has continued to affect multiple countries. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reported that by mid-March 2024, a total of 300 cases of Salmonella Mbandaka have been documented.
You may also like to watch : Who Is Kamala Harris? Biography - Parents - Husband - Sister - Career - Indian - Jamaican Heritage
Regional Breakdown of Cases
The United Kingdom has recorded the highest number of cases, with 173 individuals affected by the outbreak. Finland follows closely behind with 98 cases, while France has reported 16 cases. Ireland has seven patients, with a few cases also identified in Estonia, Germany, and the Netherlands. Among the affected individuals, 23 have required hospitalization, six in Finland have developed septicaemia, and sadly, one fatality was reported in the UK.
Investigation Reveals Link to Chicken Products
Authorities in Estonia, Finland, and the Netherlands, in collaboration with EFSA, conducted investigations and identified the outbreak strain in frozen steam-cooked chicken breast fillet produced in Ukraine. The contaminated chicken products were found to have expired in November and December 2023, yet cases continued to emerge in Finland in October 2023 and the UK in February 2024.
Identification of Probable Sources of Infection
Interviews with affected individuals in Finland and the UK pointed to ready-to-eat chicken products and fresh chicken meat as possible sources of infection. Many patients reported consuming contaminated products in cafés and restaurants, while some in the UK mentioned purchasing fresh chicken from retail outlets. This suggests that a variety of contaminated products may have been distributed through both retail and catering channels.
Uncovering the Origin of Contaminated Meat
In 2022, investigations led to an Estonian company as a potential source of the contaminated meat, although no microbiological evidence was found initially. The Estonian firm reported that they ceased using chicken meat from Ukraine in December 2022. However, samples of chilled chicken Caesar ciabatta produced by this company tested positive for Salmonella Mbandaka in Finland. Further testing revealed that the outbreak strain matched samples of frozen chicken breast from the Ukrainian processor.
You may also like to watch: Is US-NATO Prepared For A Potential Nuclear War With Russia - China And North Korea?
The European Commission, acting on behalf of Ukraine, reported in RASFF that corrective measures had been implemented at the Ukrainian plant in early 2023, including increased testing for Salmonella and improved hygiene procedures.
As investigations continue and authorities work to contain the outbreak, public health officials stress the importance of thorough food safety measures and vigilance in monitoring potential sources of contamination.
.
Multi-country Salmonella outbreak
Chicken from Ukraine.
