Salmonella Outbreak Reaches 341 Cases Across Seven Countries
A Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak has grown to 341 cases across seven countries with 34+ hospitalizations and one death; investigators point to imported eggs used by food service.
TL;DR — A multi-country Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak has reached 341 confirmed infections across seven countries with at least 34 hospitalizations and one death, with investigators pointing to eggs imported into the UK and used mainly by food service.
An outbreak that began quietly last year has grown into a seven-country problem, and investigators think the trail leads to imported eggs.
The outbreak
Investigators reported 341 confirmed Salmonella Enteritidis infections across seven countries between May 2025 and August 2026, with at least 34 hospitalizations and one death in the UK. Whole genome sequencing placed all cases in the same 5-SNP single-linkage cluster, and the strain sits within 25 SNPs of a 2025 outbreak also tied to imported eggs. Patients ranged from under 1 to 90 years old, median age 31.
| Country | Cases |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 207 |
| Netherlands | 106 |
| Belgium | 15 |
| Germany | 6 |
| France | 4 |
| Austria | 2 |
| Denmark | 1 |
There were 189 infections in 2025 and 152 more since May 2026. UKHSA had declared a UK national outbreak on August 18.
What they said
"Investigations identified links to eggs imported from outside the UK, mainly used by food service establishments, as a potential source." — Jacquelyn McCormick, Food Standards Agency
Why it matters
- Food service is the exposure point. The implicated eggs were mainly used by restaurants and caterers, not sold at retail.
- Genomics changed outbreak detection. A 5-SNP cluster links cases no epidemiologist would otherwise connect.
- It is still open. Cases have accumulated over more than a year.
FAQ
How large is the Salmonella outbreak?
341 confirmed Salmonella Enteritidis infections across seven countries between May 2025 and August 2026, with at least 34 hospitalizations and one death in the UK. The UK (207) and the Netherlands (106) account for most cases.
What is the suspected source?
The Food Standards Agency said investigations identified links to eggs imported from outside the UK, mainly used by food service establishments, as a potential source. There was no evidence implicating UK-produced eggs.
Sources
- Food Safety News — UK most affected in multi-country Salmonella outbreak
- LSHTM — rapid reaction: UK declares national outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis
Image: Salmonella enteritidis in color by U.S. Department of Agriculture — Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
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