FoodWorld

SSI

For the second time in less than a month, consumers in Denmark have been affected by salmonella infection. Cook the burger patty well and don’t taste raw meat, the authorities warn.

A new salmonella outbreak with 43 patients is underway in Denmark. So far, it includes 27 men and 16 women aged 3-85. This is shown by figures from the Statens Serum Institut, which monitors and investigates foodborne disease outbreaks together with the DTU Food Institute and the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration.

“We are currently seeing a fast-growing outbreak with 43 patients who have contracted salmonella. We know that the actual number of patients is much higher, as not everyone goes to the doctor or gets a test. By examining the bacteria, we can see that the salmonella type is exactly the same at the DNA level. This means that the patients are infected by the same source. Interviews with patients again point to ground beef, as we saw with the latest outbreak.”

Investigation underway

It is still unclear where the beef comes from, but the authorities are in the process of interviewing patients and reviewing procurement information. The goal is to find common features among the patients’ purchases in order to try to make a breakthrough in the investigation.

“We have established that two-thirds of the current patients have either tasted the raw meat or used ordinary minced beef for tartar. We would strongly advise against that,” emphasizes section leader of the Danish Food and Food Administration Annette Perge.

The reason is that there may be bacteria in minced meat which can cause illness. It can be salmonella, but it can also be particularly dangerous E. coli bacteria. That is why the advice from the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration also reads:

• If you want to eat tartar, buy minced meat, which is specially intended for tartar. It’s on the packaging – otherwise ask the butcher.
• Wash hands before starting to cook and after touching raw meat
• Avoid tasting raw meat, e.g. raw minced meat
• Keep raw meat separate from ready-to-eat food, e.g. salad
• Fry or cook minced meat through

Less than a month ago, 64 patients in Denmark were infected with a type of salmonella that was found to originate from minced beef from England. The authorities in the central outbreak group have not yet found the origin of the source of infection for the latest outbreak.

Facts about Salmonella

Infection with salmonella typically causes general malaise, diarrhoea, stomach ache, possibly nausea, vomiting and fever. The infection is often accompanied by joint pain, muscle pain and headache. In most cases, the symptoms of salmonella are mild and go away on their own. If you get persistent symptoms, you should contact your own doctor.

Read more about the outbreak