Denmark: – Salmonella outbreaks are growing rapidly

About a third of those infected in the outbreak, which was first reported in mid-March, have been hospitalized as a result of the salmonella infection, writes Danish TV 2.

Among the 40 infected, there are 24 men and 16 women aged 0 to 83, according to the Statens Serum Institut (SSI) – the Danish Public Health Institute (FHI).

– The outbreak is growing rapidly, so we are concerned that there will be more cases in the future, says epidemiologist Luise Müller at SSI to the channel.

Proven in Norway

– Taste the minced meat

The infected have neither traveled, eaten at the same restaurants, nor participated in the same events. The persons live all over the country, which suggests that the product which is the source of the infection has probably been sold in shops across the country, writes SSI.

– We are working to find out what is to blame for the outbreak. Preliminary investigations indicate that the source of infection may be ground beef sold at the store, says Müller in a press release.

– Several have stated that they have tasted the minced meat before frying, she tells TV 2.

Warning

The source of infection has not been determined with certainty. SSI is now working to make contact with the store chains.

– It is a bigger puzzle to find the source of infection, says Müller.

SSI comes forward with clear advice to avoid eating raw meat.

All patients are infected with the same salmonella variant.

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The Danish Food Institute states that it is the salmonella variant Thypimurum, which has previously been found in meat from both cattle and pigs, as well as in foreign poultry products.

Salmonella is a bacterium that causes typical symptoms such as reduced general condition, diarrhoea, stomach ache, nausea and vomiting, as well as fever, writes SSI.

Salmonella can be transmitted from food, water and animals to humans.

More advice

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health has a range of advice on how to avoid becoming infected with the bacteria. Among other things:

• Wash your hands well after using the toilet, before cooking and eating, after handling raw meat, both fresh and frozen, and after contact with animals.
• People who have diarrhea should avoid cooking for others.
• Keep raw meat separate from other foods, this also applies to raw meat that has been frozen as bacteria and viruses survive freezing.
• Wash used knives, cutting blades and other kitchen equipment before using the equipment for other food to avoid contaminating foods that are not to be heat treated (e.g. salads) with foods that are to be heat treated.
• All poultry and pork meat should be thoroughly cooked before serving.
• For other whole pieces of meat, it works well to fry them well on the surface. Bacteria are found on the surface of cuts of meat.
• Hamburgers, minced meat, meatballs and all other food made from minced meat should be thoroughly cooked before serving. In ground meat, the bacteria on the surface have been distributed throughout the product.

Salmonella infection has been subject to notification in Norway since 1975. In 2022, 713 cases of salmonella infection were reported in Norway, according to FHI.