Swedish health officials are searching for the source of a Salmonella outbreak that has affected nearly 30 people.
Folkhälsomyndigheten (the Swedish Public Health Agency) reported that the number of reported cases of Salmonella has increased significantly since August.
Whole genome sequencing has shown that 27 people have the same type of Salmonella Typhimurium. They are suspected of being infected from a common source.
The patients became ill between August 9 and 24 and ranged in age from 4 to 89 years, with an average age of 45 years.
The majority of those sick are women, and the cases are spread across eleven different regions in the country.
The source of the infection is believed to be food, which is widely distributed in Sweden.
The relevant infection control units, the Swedish Food Agency (Livsmedelsverket) and the Swedish Public Health Agency, are working to identify the source of the infection.
In 2023, 1,316 Salmonella infections were reported in the country. Three outbreaks with ten or more cases were found.
Campylobacter update
In August 2024, Sweden was still experiencing high rates of domestic Campylobacter infections.
In one week in late July, 200 domestic cases of Campylobacter were reported. From late July to mid-August, 161 to 169 cases were recorded per week.
According to data from the National Veterinary Institute (SVA), the increase in the number of human infections coincides with a previously increased occurrence of Campylobacter in broiler flocks.
Finally, the Swedish government has commissioned an analysis from the Swedish Food Agency.
Statskontoret (the Swedish Public Management Agency) will conduct a preliminary and in-depth assessment of the authority.
The basic analysis includes the authority’s tasks, resources and objectives and the results achieved based on them. It also explains how internal and external factors influence the authority’s results and what future issues will be important for the agency to carry out its mission in the future.
An in-depth analysis will be made of how the government’s dialogue with different target groups proceeds and how the structure with other governments with related tasks is designed and works. The final report should be ready in October 2025.
About Salmonella
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria usually does not look, smell or taste spoiled. However, anyone can become ill from a Salmonella infection. According to the CDC, infants, children, seniors and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk for serious illness because their immune systems are fragile.
Anyone who has developed symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctor about possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria, because special tests are needed to diagnose salmonellosis. Symptoms of Salmonella infection can mimic other diseases, often leading to misdiagnosis.
Symptoms of a Salmonella infection may include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours of eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. However, in some cases, the diarrhea can be so severe that patients require hospitalization.
Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop serious illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions. Some people become infected without becoming ill or showing symptoms. However, they can still spread the infections to others.
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