UK health officials have declared a national salmonella outbreak, believed to be linked to imported eggs, which has caused the death of one person and sickened hundreds.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which is leading a probe into the outbreak, said 207 people have been affected.
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Those infected range in age from less than one year old to 90 years.
Investigators believe the eggs were eaten outside the home rather than in domestic settings.
England accounts for 199 of the 207 cases. Among those, 47 were recorded in London and 38 in Yorkshire and Humber.
Scotland has reported six cases, while Wales and Northern Ireland have each recorded one.
Salmonella infection commonly causes diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting and fever, with symptoms often subsiding without treatment, though it can lead to sepsis or organ failure in vulnerable or immunocompromised groups.
In this outbreak, 38% of those infected required hospital care for salmonellosis, the illness caused by salmonella.
Two patients developed a blood stream infection.
Dr Kathleen O’Reilly, the associate professor at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said: “Previous research has estimated that less than 10% of salmonella cases require hospitalisation, so it seems initially concerning that 38% in this outbreak have been admitted to hospital. As the epidemic progresses, this number might change, especially as salmonella cases are often underreported.”
Authorities pointed to whole-genome sequencing, which confirmed that all 207 infections are tied to a single strain of salmonella.
The earliest known case was detected on 11 August 2025, although the majority have been logged this year.
The UKHSA said “extensive” epidemiological and food chain investigations, carried out with the Food Standards Agency and other public health bodies, are continuing as officials work to pinpoint the contamination’s origin.
So far, the evidence pointing to egg consumption remains the “strongest” lead in the investigation, added the agency.
Genomic analysis has also indicated the strain is related to a salmonella enteritidis outbreak examined last year.
Interviews with patients identified five food businesses where at least two unrelated cases said they had eaten during the week before symptoms began.
Together, those venues are connected to 24 cases. Of those, 11 people said they had eaten meals containing eggs.
The UKHSA did not identify the five businesses.
Food supply investigations so far have found that the sites received eggs from several sources, including egg importers.
The agency said there is no “identified link” to UK-produced eggs or poultry.
Officials also said the evidence collected so far suggests the outbreak is not tied to overseas travel, with only six of the 207 cases reporting travel outside the UK.
To reduce the risk of infection, authorities urged the public to cook eggs thoroughly and wash hands with soap and water after handling them.
People have also been advised to buy eggs carrying the British Lion mark or produced under the Laid in Britain egg assurance scheme.
O’Reilly recommended checking the food hygiene rating of catering outlets before choosing where to eat.
