Sweden: More than 50 people have fallen ill in an outbreak of Salmonella

October 18, 2022

The cause of a widespread Salmonella outbreak in Sweden that has sickened more than 50 people is still unknown. From September 17 to October 5, a total of 54 confirmed cases of Salmonella Typhimurium were recorded from 20 different areas around the nation. There are 86 patients, 31 of whom are female, ranging in age from 8 to 86. Whole genome sequencing of patient samples has linked cases. Local infection control units, the Swedish Food Agency (Livsmedelsverket), and Folkhälsomyndigheten are investigating the outbreak to identify the source of infection, which is suspected to be a food with widespread distribution in Sweden. This indicates that they are suspected of having been infected by a common source. There doesn’t seem to be any connection between the incident and the present Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak in Denmark. Because the strains don’t cluster, authorities suspect that a different source is to blame for the outbreak in Sweden.

14 instances were reported in Denmark between August 15 and September 16. Patients range in age from 4 to 84, with a median age of 61. There are seven men and seven women in the group. To determine the cause of the outbreak, the Statens Serum Institute (SSI), Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (Fdevarestyrelsen), and DTU Food Institute are conducting investigations.

In order to get details on what sick people consumed prior to becoming unwell, patient interviews are still being conducted. The responses will be compared to what members of a control group who are not involved in the outbreak have eaten in order to establish hypotheses concerning the source.

Salmonella Infection:

Salmonella germs normally do not cause food to appear, smell, or taste rotten. Salmonella infection can cause illness in anyone. According to the U.S., due to the fragility of their immune systems, infants, children, seniors, and individuals with compromised immune systems are more susceptible to serious illness. Department of Health and Human Services.

Within 12 to 72 hours of consuming contaminated food, diarrhoea, cramping in the abdomen, and fever is possible symptoms of Salmonella infection. Adults who are healthy typically get sick for four to seven days. But occasionally, patients’ diarrhea could be so bad that they need to be hospitalized.

Anyone who has experienced Salmonella food poisoning symptoms should contact a doctor. Salmonellosis must be diagnosed with specialized testing; therefore, sick persons should inform their doctors if they believe they may have been exposed to Salmonella bacteria. Salmonella infection symptoms frequently cause misdiagnosis since they can resemble those of other infections.

People with compromised immune systems, such as cancer patients, youngsters, older adults, and pregnant women are more susceptible to developing serious, occasionally life-threatening illnesses. Some individuals contract an infection without becoming ill or exhibiting any symptoms. They might nonetheless continue to infect others.

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