With more than 150 suspected cases of salmonellosis, a bacterial intestinal disease, in over 11 countries, the investigation linked the outbreak to chocolates produced in Belgium. The cases are coming from the US, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, the UK and other European countries, and children under 10 are most affected.
Salmonella Typhimurium cases were first flagged by the UK a month ago. The United Nation agency stated that “The risk of spread in the WHO European region and globally is assessed as moderate until the information is available on the full recall of the products.”
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In 1994, around 224,000 people fell sick from infected ice cream in the United States. Similarly, over 25000 people were infected by an unidentified food source in France.
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Belgium factory is temporarily closed
The pathogen reportedly originated in Belgium. According to the WHO, “…salmonella bacteria matching the current human cases of infection were found last December and January, in buttermilk tanks at a factory run by chocolate makers Ferrero, in the Belgian city of Arlon.”
During the risk period, the Kinder products are received by around 113 countries across the world. The WHO noted that the outbreak strain of salmonella is resistant to 6 types of antibiotics. A high hospitalisation rate is observed while no fatalities were reported since the outbreak of Salmonella.
What is salmonellosis?
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Salmonellosis is a common bacterial infection, caused by Salmonella, a non-typhoidal bacteria. It affects the intestinal tract of humans and can infect humans and animals. The American veterinarian Daniel Elmer Salmon helped in discovering the bacteria that often cause mild illness. The infection begins with the ingestion of contaminated food or water to cause gastrointestinal disease.
The bacteria are majorly found in domestic and wild animals like poultry, pigs and cattle. According to WHO, approximately 2,500 serotypes of salmonella bacteria but most human infections are by two serotypes: Typhimurium and Enteritidis.
Pregnant women, lactating mothers, children under 5, adults over 65 and people with weak immune systems.
How is it transmitted?
According to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the disease is mostly transmitted to humans who eat food contaminated with faeces of an infected animal. This takes place when raw or undercooked food like eggs, meat etc are consumed by people.
The WHO says that salmonella can pass through the entire food chain from animal feed primary production to households or food-service institutions and establishments. In humans, it is generally contracted after eating contaminated food of animal origin like eggs, milk and meat. It is less likely to unwashed fruits and vegetables can become infected.
What are the symptoms and how to avoid infection?
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The symptoms of the infection generally emerge after three days of catching the infection and usually include fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps and severe cases symptoms might include high fever, aches, and blood in urine or stool. A healthy person can recover within a few days but in some cases, it can be serious as well.
The CDC states, “Antibiotics are not recommended for uncomplicated cases and are only used if the infection spreads or is highly likely to spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and other organs.”
In order to prevent salmonella, one must wash hands before cooking, regular cleaning of kitchen and fridge or wherever the food is handled and separation of raw food from others.
Further, Meat should be thoroughly cooked and raw eggs as food should be avoided Thoroughly cooking meat is also highly recommended.
Israel’s company announced compensation for consumers
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According to a report published in the Free press Journal, Strauss group, one of the largest food manufacturers in Israel stated that consumers will be compensated with double what they spent on products suspected of containing salmonella.
The group announces the same when the company and government officials were not able to provide satisfactory answers raised by the recall of Strauss products. Further, Chocolate, ice cream, cookies and other products are fulled off from the stores. The recall is considered to be the largest in the country’s history.
Strauss Group stated that its subsidiary company, Elite, a popular producer of chocolate products recalled its products suspecting salmonella contamination.