Nearly 500 cases of salmonella infection have been linked to an outbreak associated with imported eggs, health authorities have reported. According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the number of confirmed cases in the United Kingdom has increased by approximately 25% since July, reaching a total of 474. Two fatalities have been reported in connection with the outbreak. Additionally, two new clusters of infection have recently been identified.

The outbreak has extended beyond the UK, affecting seven European countries. The highest number of cases outside the UK has been reported in the Netherlands, with 106 cases, followed by Belgium (15), Germany (6), France (4), Austria (2), and Denmark (1).

UK health officials have attributed the outbreak primarily to imported eggs, noting a 60% increase in egg imports since 2021. However, investigations in the Netherlands suggest that chicken meat, rather than eggs, may be the source of their infections. Experts have emphasized that eggs produced domestically in the UK, which carry the British Lion mark, remain safe to consume.

Salmonella bacteria are commonly found in raw or undercooked meat, poultry, and eggs. Symptoms typically include stomach cramps, diarrhea, and severe dehydration, which can pose a greater risk to vulnerable groups such as babies, young children, pregnant women, and older adults. The UKHSA has advised that eggs should be thoroughly cooked to reduce the risk of infection.

Within the UK, most cases have been reported in London and the Yorkshire and Humber region, though infections have also appeared in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The agency has linked many of the UK cases to the consumption of food from small cafés, restaurants, and takeaway outlets.

Data from the UKHSA shows that cases reported to date span a period from August of the previous year through early August 2026. Officials maintain that despite the outbreak, the overall risk to the general public remains low, and no evidence suggests contamination in UK-produced eggs.

Health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as investigations into the precise source and spread of the outbreak remain ongoing across affected countries.