Britain reports 90 sick due to salmonella outbreak linked to melon

Researchers have revealed that in late 2023, nearly 100 people became ill during a Salmonella outbreak linked to cantaloupe.

In September 2023, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) identified cases of Salmonella Saintpaul in England, Scotland and Wales. Other sick people were spotted in Portugal after a warning by the United Kingdom.

A total of 98 cases were identified, 93 in Britain and five in Portugal, and almost half were under the age of 10, the report said. Journal study Epidemiology and Infection.

Information about the British incident was shared via the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) EpiPulse system in late October 2023. This revealed cases in other countries. The ECDC has confirmed this Food safety news that two cases had been reported in Denmark. Although Salmonella Saintpaul infections occurred in some other countries, these could not be microbiologically or epidemiologically linked to the outbreak.

Young people are particularly affected

Most patients lived in England, but Scotland had ten and Wales five, with receipt dates from September 28 to November 30, 2023.

The cases had a mean age of 20 years, ranging from 10 months to 89 years; 28 percent were younger than 5 years old and 43 percent were younger than 10 years old. Nearly two-thirds were women. Five sick people were identified in Portugal, with dates from October 4 to 24, 2023. The patients ranged in age from 2 to 8 years old, and 80 percent were women.

The investigation into the outbreak included a case-control study. Of the 25 British cases included in the study, 13 reported blood in the stool and five were hospitalized.

One hundred controls were recruited via a market research panel. Analysis of food exposure in cases and controls revealed a strong association with cantaloupe consumption. Melon consumption was reported by 13, or 52 percent, of cases, compared to 24, or 24 percent, of controls.

It was not possible to obtain melon samples for microbiological research. Due to factors such as the rapid end of the outbreak and the short shelf life of melons, no public health control measures such as product recalls were taken. Research into the origin of the products is ongoing.

In Britain, fresh fruit supply chains are showing seasonal variations, which could explain the sharp increase and end of the outbreak, scientists said.

Pointing out clues to melon like a source

Broader epidemiological research provided additional evidence for a link with melon. All five cases confirmed melon consumption in the initial hypothesis-generating interviews, and three reported melon consumption.

Of the three educational institutions that some sick people visited, all served melon in the week prior to the onset of symptoms. Two confirmed that they had been served melon.

In ten cases, details of a supermarket loyalty card for the same retailer were also provided. Three reported melon consumption in targeted questionnaires. Purchase information for seven cases showed that they had purchased cantaloupe before the onset of symptoms.

“Epidemiological analysis provides evidence for a link with melon. In light of this and other recent large Salmonella outbreaks linked to melon consumption, cantaloupe and other melon varieties should be considered as potential sources of infection during future Salmonella outbreaks,” researchers said.

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