[ad_1]
A multi-country salmonella outbreak that has been ongoing for more than a year has sickened nearly 200 people.
Overall, 196 Salmonella Mbandaka infections have been reported with 89 people sickened in Finland and 81 in the United Kingdom. Patients also live in the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Israel.
Nineteen people were hospitalised, five had septicaemia, which is caused by bacteria entering the bloodstream, and one person died in the UK. Cases have occurred in all age groups.
In September, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) reported that 54 people were ill and that 36 of the 38 patients interviewed had eaten various chicken products before becoming ill.
Chicken products suspect
Based on interviews with patients in Finland and the UK, ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken products or fresh chicken used in sandwiches and wraps are potential sources of infection.
Finnish authorities linked the suspected RTE products to an Estonian company, however, this could not be confirmed by trace-back work or microbiological evidence. The Estonian firm received processed chicken meat from various suppliers, including a Dutch company.
Epidemiological data and microbiological evidence from whole genome sequencing of human isolates suggest that there are multiple sources through different distribution chains, with common sources further up the supply chain. The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said new cases are likely until the source is identified and controlled.
In May 2022, 31 Salmonella Mbandaka cases were reported in the UK including 25 in England and three each in Scotland and Wales with sampling dates between September 2021 and April 2022. Four were hospitalized and one person died.
In June, Finland reported nine Salmonella Mbandaka cases from different regions between April and May. Subsequent analysis confirmed that the cluster was genetically close to the UK outbreak strain. In Finland, of the 73 patients interviewed, 10 were hospitalized and five had septicemia. The latest case was reported in Estonia on October 17.
The Salmonella Mbandaka strain is different from the one detected in a multi-country outbreak linked to sesame-based products in Syria.
Patient interviewing and sampling
In the UK, 18 of 26 cases reported eating RTE chicken products within a week of symptom onset. Chicken slices and pieces used in sandwiches and wraps were mentioned frequently. Ten people bought chicken from cafes and restaurants, including wraps, sandwiches, baguettes and kebabs. Chicken products can be distributed through the retail as well as catering sector. In most cases, chicken is eaten fresh, including chicken breasts, thighs, and the whole bird.
In Finland, 64 of the 67 cases interviewed had eaten various chicken products before becoming ill. Fifteen people consumed or bought certain RTE products from three brands, which are sold in two of Finland’s largest grocery chains. A potential case, an asymptomatic staff member at a food company who tested positive for Salmonella Mbandaka in September, was identified. This person regularly consumed RTE rap, as reported in 15 cases. Some ate out at restaurants.
In September, Estonian authorities took 15 environmental samples at a company linked to the incident, including eight non-food contact surfaces. Samples were also taken from RTE food products and processed chicken meat but all were negative. Further tests were carried out in October but no salmonella was found.
A total of 129 internal tests conducted by the company in 2022 for salmonella were also negative. The business does not sell products in the UK, which has reported the second highest number of infections.
(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, Click here.)
[ad_2]
Source link
