One dead and hundreds ill in UK salmonella outbreak
A salmonella outbreak in the UK has resulted in one death and over 200 illnesses, with health officials linking the cases to imported eggs. The UK Health Security Agency is currently investigating the source while advising the public on safe food handling practices.
Why it matters
Foodborne illness outbreaks pose significant public health risks and highlight the complexities of international food supply chain safety.
Image source, Getty Images By Michelle Roberts Digital health editor Published 18 August 2026, 12:47 BST Updated 17 minutes ago A person has died and hundreds have fallen ill with salmonella food posioning in an outbreak that UK experts believe is linked to eating food made with imported eggs.
The UK Health Security Agency has launched an investigation , external into the 207 cases it has seen in the past year, with most recorded in recent weeks.
More than a third of those affected - some babies and others as old as 90 - have needed hospital care, with two developing serious blood poisoning. Most people get better without treatment, however.
While salmonella cases can happen any time, this outbreak involves a specific, identical strain.
Symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting or fever. These usually develop between 12 and 72 hours after becoming infected.
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