Since the beginning of December 2022, 22 cases of illness infected with one and the same strain of Salmonella Enteritidis have been reported to the Public Health Authority. The infection is suspected to originate from eggs that have now been recalled.
At the end of December 2022, Salmonella Enteritidis was identified at a major Swedish egg producer, which has led to several recalls of fresh eggs.
Recalls of eggs – January 2023 (livsmedelsverket.se)
An outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis involving 22 people from eleven different regions has now been identified and is being investigated. Since several of the sick have eaten dishes containing raw eggs from the now recalled batches, there are strong reasons to suspect a connection to the earlier Salmonella finding at the egg producer. The disease cases are aged 7-90 years (median=40 years), twelve of the cases are women and the illnesses occurred between December 7, 2022 and January 6, 2023 (see Figure 2023-01-18).
During the past ten days, a larger number of people with salmonella infection than usual have been reported. The Salmonella isolates from these disease cases have not yet been typed to determine the specific strain, but since several have stated consumption of products with raw eggs from suspected contaminated batches, there is a risk that the number of people identified as infected in the outbreak will increase.
Although because of the recalls there should be no contaminated eggs left in stores or in restaurants, it is possible that you may have eggs left at home from the recalled batches. Via the Swedish Food Agency’s website, you can find out who these lots are and what you should do with these eggs.
The outbreak is being investigated in collaboration between the Swedish Agency for Agriculture, the Swedish Food Agency, SVA, the Public Health Agency, regional infection control and other regional and local authorities.
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