Food Law News - UK - 2000


FSA Scotland, 23 August 2000

Update On Outbreak of Salmonella Enteriditis Phage Type 5c

The Outbreak Control Team set up by the Food Standards Agency Scotland to investigate the recent outbreak of Salmonella enteriditis phage type 5c is continuing its efforts to pinpoint the source of the infection. The number of confirmed cases now stands at 35. Two previously suspected cases have been confirmed in Shetland. Neither of the two additional people infected in Shetland needed hospital treatment and both have now fully recovered from their infection.

A number of different types of premises across Scotland have now been visited by local authorities as part of the investigation and action already taken by environmental health officers means there is no ongoing risk to public health. Chinese restaurants remain a possible link between a number of the 35 cases. However, other possibilities continue to be investigated and no single source of infection has yet been identified.

An outbreak of Salmonella enteriditis phage type 5c was confirmed by the Food Standards Agency Scotland on 8 August. An Outbreak Control Team was set up by the Agency to investigate and take action to protect public health. Thirty-three cases were confirmed at the time. All those infected had become ill prior to or on 24 July. A further two suspected cases have now been confirmed in Shetland, bringing the total number of cases there to seven. One case is being treated as historical (ie. it occurred before 24 July). In the second case, the person infected reported falling ill on 2 August. Action has been taken since then to prevent any further risk to public health.


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