British have told to take security measures after cases of a dangerous food poisoning bug reached the highest level in a decade.
Health officials warned the number of infected people with the Salmonella bacteria born in food rose by almost one fifth in one year in 2024 to more than 10,000 cases.
The figure, released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), is the highest registered in a decade with only about 8,000 cases registered in 2015.
Salmonella is Caught by eating contaminated food with bacteria, usually items such as poultry, meat, eggs, raw fruit and fruit, as well as unpasteurized milk or cheese.
Although normally only causes relatively mild food poisoning, a Salmonella infection may cause fatal dehydration Or if the bacterium enters the bloodstream, a sepsis-a life-threatening reaction can lead.
In response to the increase in cases, health officials have recalled companies and households of the importance of following food safety measures.
These include keeping food sufficiently cooled, cooking food to a suitable temperature, ensuring that food preparation surfaces such as chop boards are kept clean and cross -contamination between items such as raw meat and vegetables are avoided.
Because Salmonella is often caught by eating raw or not cooked meat – advising officials that people follow the time and temperature instructions on product labels.
British health leaders have urgently warned people to take security measures after cases of potentially fatal increase in food poisoning to their highest level in a decade
This UKHSA graph shows the number of Salmonella cases registered in England every year
It is also important to cool food under 5c (32F), because this helps to prevent harmful bacteria from growing.
People also have to thoroughly clean food equipment and surfaces to prevent cross -contamination.
This can be items such as reusable shopping bags, knives and chopping boards and work surfaces.
British also have to eat food due to ‘use through’ date on the label, even if it looks good and smells and washing their hands before and after preparing food.
Those who run the most risk in the suffering of serious illness of a Salmonella infection include that with weakened immune system such as children and the elderly.
Health officials also warned of a 17.1 percent increase in another potentially deadly bug, Campylobacter, who also kills through dehydration and can lead to sepsis.
Cases have risen from 60,055 in 2023 to 70,352 in 2024 and reached 121.9 reports per 100,000 population – with those from 50 to 79 annually for 44 percent of the cases.
As far as Salmonella is concerned, children younger than ten were particularly affected, accounting for 21.5 percent of the cases.
The UKHSA and Food Standards Agency (FSA) investigates possible reasons for the rise in cases.
Dr. James Cooper, deputy director of food policy at the FSA, said: ‘We work together to understand the reasons behind the rise in Campylobacter and Salmonella, as well as trends in other pathogens.
‘This analysis will help us take the necessary action to protect public health.
‘We have launched a new campaign to help people stay safe.
“We also work together with industry and local authorities to support companies to meet their legal responsibility to ensure that food is safe.”
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