Poland: Ongoing countrywide Salmonella outbreak

Event

A spike of cases of salmonella originating from poultry and egg farms in Poland has been reported across Europe this summer. Fourteen EU countries have reported some 29 different cases as of Monday, July 31, to the European Commission’s Food Alerts system, compared to 27 throughout all of 2016.

As Europe’s biggest poultry producer and exporter, the rising number of salmonella cases in Poland poses a risk to all EU countries. The country is facing its worst salmonella outbreak since 2007, with 4247 patients being treated before the summer.

Context

In 2016, some 500 cases of salmonella in humans were traced back to Poland causing at least two deaths in Hungary and Croatia.

Advice

Individuals are advised to exercise extra caution and to ensure both poultry and eggs are cooked thoroughly before eating. Wash hands as well as kitchen utensils and surfaces after they have been in contact with poultry products.