Salmonella outbreak linked to cheese sickens 70 people in France

More than seventy people in France have become ill due to a salmonella outbreak linked to cheese.

The 72 cases of salmonellosis are linked to the consumption of soft cheeses from Le Chasteau, produced in Cantal by GAEC Deflisque between early March and early August.

Institut Pasteur and Santé publique France identified cases with similar characteristics in late July to early August.

More than half of the sick were identified in Puy-de-Dôme, Corrèze and Creuse; others have recently been found in the regions of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Centre-Val de Loire, Pays de la Loire, Brittany, Grand-Est and Occitanie.

Food questionnaires among patients and traceability work at points of purchase and consumption made it possible to identify the products involved.

Official inspections in Cantal closed the cheese factory and seized cheeses on site on July 23. Sampling confirmed the contamination of cheeses on August 1.

A recall is in effect for all batches of GAEC Deflisque Le Chateau cheeses and all best before dates sold from March 2024 onwards.

Salmonella was confirmed in 158 outbreaks in France in 2022, with 975 cases and 165 hospital admissions. Milk and dairy products have been linked to nine confirmed or suspected Salmonella outbreaks.

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

Anyone who has eaten recalled products and 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.

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