Outbreak of Salmonella disease 12 in Denmark

A dozen people have become ill in recent weeks due to an outbreak of Salmonella in Denmark.

Twelve cases of Salmonella Typhimurium were reported in March and April, according to the Statens Serum Institut (SSI).

People became infected with the same type of Salmonella. The patients are between 5 and 80 years old, with an average age of 35 years. Six are men and six are women. Patients have been reported from different parts of the country.

The SSI, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (Fødevarestyrelsen) and the DTU Food Institute are investigating the outbreak.

SSI conducts whole genome sequencing of patients’ Salmonella isolates and interviews patients or family members to attempt to identify a possible source of infection.

Whole genome sequencing of bacteria isolated from patients showed that the samples were very closely related and all belonged to sequence type 19.

In 2022, 899 cases of salmonella were recorded in Denmark, an increase compared to 2021 and 2020, but a decrease compared to 2019.

Salmonella caused eleven outbreaks in 2022, three of which were part of international incidents. The largest was an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis, with 24 cases reported between March and September. The source could not be traced, but it was suspected that chicken products came from Poland.

About Salmonella
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria usually does not look, smell or taste spoiled. Anyone can become ill from a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk for serious illness because their immune systems are vulnerable, according to the CDC.

Anyone who has developed symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctor about possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria, because special tests are needed to diagnose salmonellosis. Symptoms of Salmonella infection can mimic other diseases, often leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of a Salmonella infection may include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours of eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. However, in some cases, the diarrhea can be so severe that patients require hospitalization.

Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop serious illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions. Some people become infected without becoming ill or showing symptoms. However, they can still spread the infections to others.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)