People in the United Kingdom are being warned about a salmonella outbreak. The warning is especially for children under five, people over 65, pregnant women, and people with health problems. These groups should avoid runny or under-cooked eggs when they eat at restaurants, cafes, or takeaways. They should also avoid fresh foods that may contain raw eggs.
These foods can include mayonnaise, souffle, and hollandaise sauce. The Food Standards Agency says well-cooked eggs are fine to eat in restaurants and other food shops. Its chief scientific adviser says the outbreak is unusually large and is growing quickly. He asks people in high-risk groups to be careful when eating outside their homes.
The UK Health Security Agency has called this a national outbreak. More than 200 cases have been found in the United Kingdom, and most are in England. One person has died, and hundreds of people have become ill. Tests show that the cases are part of the same outbreak, and the eggs may have come from other countries.
Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can live in animals such as chickens, pigs, and cattle. People can get sick from food that is not cooked well, or when raw food touches cooked food. Signs of illness may include stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. Most people get better, but babies, older people, and people with weak immune systems can become very sick.
The FSA says British eggs bought from supermarkets are safe, and there is no link between those eggs and this outbreak. The British Egg Industry Council also says people who want runny eggs can ask if a restaurant uses British Lion eggs. Anyone who is worried about symptoms should contact a doctor or an out-of-hours medical service. For people at higher risk, choosing well-cooked eggs is the safest choice when eating out.