A significant salmonella outbreak has sickened over 340 people across seven European countries, with the United Kingdom reporting the highest number of cases and one fatality. Health officials are investigating both chicken products and eggs as potential sources of the outbreak.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has recorded at least 207 cases in the UK, 106 in the Netherlands, 15 in Belgium, six in Germany, four in France, two in Austria, and one in Denmark. Across these nations, at least 34 individuals have been hospitalized. The ages of those infected range from less than one year old to 90.
In the UK, imported eggs served in restaurants and cafes are suspected as a primary source, although the exact cause remains unconfirmed. European health authorities are also examining chicken products, following reports from a small number of patients in the Netherlands who consumed chicken meat before falling ill.
Experts anticipate more cases will emerge until effective control measures are implemented. Concerns have been raised by agricultural bodies regarding the safety of imported food products that do not meet UK production standards. "Food produced to standards that would be illegal in the UK is still being allowed into our market," stated Will Raw, chair of the National Farmers Union's national poultry board, emphasizing the need for thorough checks on imports.
Salmonella infections stem from bacteria commonly found in animal digestive tracts and are contracted through contaminated food, particularly meat, poultry, and eggs. Previous outbreaks in the UK have also been linked to foods such as salad leaves, cucumbers, and chocolate. The bacteria can also spread through contaminated water, contact with infected individuals or animals, and poor hygiene practices.
Symptoms of salmonella infection, known as gastroenteritis, include diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and fever. While most individuals recover without medical intervention, severe cases can lead to the bacteria spreading into the bloodstream, requiring hospitalization and antibiotics. Vulnerable populations, including young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with compromised immune systems, face a higher risk of severe illness.
In the UK, investigations have pointed to imported eggs as a potential source, with many affected individuals having consumed eggs in dining establishments. Commercial laying hens in the UK that produce British Lion eggs are vaccinated against Salmonella Enteritidis, the strain implicated in the current outbreak, which significantly reduces contamination risk. Health officials have stressed that there is currently no evidence suggesting UK-produced eggs are involved.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands experienced a peak in cases in August and September of the previous year. Investigations there identified a link to chicken meat consumption in a subset of patients, suggesting poultry products could also be a factor in the broader European outbreak. The same strain was responsible for a prior outbreak in the Netherlands where eggs and poultry were suspected but no definitive source was identified.
The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) investigated 80 cases linked to the strain in 2025. After a period of no new infections, cases resurfaced this year, leading to the reopening of the investigation in July.
In the UK, specific case counts include 199 in England, six in Scotland, and one each in Wales and Northern Ireland. Over one-third of patients for whom information was available required hospitalization, with two developing life-threatening bloodstream infections. UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) investigators have identified five unnamed food businesses associated with patients, at least two of which were visited by multiple individuals shortly before they fell ill.
Jacquelyn McCormick, head of incidents at the Food Standards Agency, noted that while the exact cause is yet to be determined, preliminary investigations suggest imported eggs, primarily used by restaurants and cafes, as a potential source. Officials continue to emphasize that UK-produced eggs are not believed to be affected.
However, individuals at higher risk of severe illness have been advised to avoid raw or undercooked eggs and foods containing them when dining out, unless they can confirm the eggs meet recognized UK safety standards. This advisory specifically targets those over 65, children under five, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Egg imports into Britain have increased significantly in recent years, driven by pressures on domestic supply. This rise has led to repeated concerns from British farmers about disparities in production standards between the UK and other countries. Imports from Ukraine have seen a notable increase, drawing criticism from farming groups over production methods, including the use of conventional battery cages, which are prohibited in the UK. Currently, officials have not identified the country of origin for the eggs suspected in the outbreak, and there is no evidence linking Ukrainian eggs to these infections. The investigation into the outbreak's source is ongoing.