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# Hundreds sick and two dead in UK Salmonella outbreaks
- URL: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2026/08/hundreds-sick-and-two-dead-in-uk-salmonella-outbreaks/
- Published: 2026-08-28T04:06:38.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-28T04:06:37.000Z
- Author: Joe Whitworth
- Tags: outbreaks, 2026 outbreaks, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), salmonellosis, Salmonella Enteritidis, Food Standards Agency (FSA), Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), imported eggs

Two people have died and almost 500 have been infected in a trio of Salmonella outbreaks in the United Kingdom since 2025.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Food Standards Agency (FSA) and other public health authorities are investigating three Salmonella Enteritidis clusters.

Genetic relatedness of the clusters, along with food information, suggests the outbreaks could be associated with eating imported eggs at small cafés, restaurants, and takeaways.

In the first cluster, there have been 259 confirmed cases and one death. Sample dates range from Aug. 11, 2025, to Aug. 8, 2026\. Since late July, 189 infections have been reported in England.

Sick people range in age from younger than 1 to 90 years old with a median age of 30\. Of the 149 cases with available information, 41 have been admitted to hospitals. 

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported more than 100 related Salmonella Enteritidis sequence type 11 infections in the Netherlands. There are also 15 cases in Belgium, two in Austria, one in Denmark, four in France, and six in Germany. At least 34 people have been hospitalized.

In July, the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) restarted an investigation into a Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak that began in spring 2025\. There are 111 patients in this cluster with 31 in 2026, including 10 in June and eight in July. Only seven patient interview questionnaires have been received by RIVM, with the agency saying it is too early to draw any conclusions about the outbreak’s source.

**Imported eggs link**  
In a second cluster, there are 177 cases in England. Sample dates range from May 27, 2025, to Aug. 5, 2026\. Patients are aged between younger than 1 to 92 with a median of 29 years old. Of 27 patients with information available, 12 were admitted to hospitals.

In a third cluster, there are 38 cases and one death, with sample dates ranging from Jan. 27 to July 29, 2026\. Cases range in age from 2 to 87 with a median of 32 years old. Five people have been hospitalized.

In Scotland, dates of illness are from April 1 to Aug. 10, 2026, for 13 patients. Cases range in age from 2 to 78 with a median of 36 years old and 10 are female.

Professor Ian Young, chief scientific adviser for the FSA, said investigations have identified links to imported eggs. 

“There is no evidence that UK-produced eggs are affected. Our food safety advice remains the same: eggs that are thoroughly cooked and handled hygienically should not present a food safety risk. Infants, young children, pregnant people and older adults should only eat raw or lightly cooked eggs if they carry the British Lion mark or are produced under the Laid in Britain scheme,” he said.

“If you’re eating out or buying food that contains eggs, you may not know if these carry the British Lion mark or are Laid in Britain assured. If this is the case, when eating out the safest approach for vulnerable people is to ensure they’re thoroughly cooked and to avoid dishes containing raw or lightly cooked egg, such as mousses, fresh mayonnaise or hollandaise sauce.”