Belgian Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Eggs Infects at Least 306 People

Brussels, Belgium. At least 306 people have been infected in a salmonella outbreak linked to eggs from a chicken farm in Flanders, Belgium’s food safety agency AFSCA said on Tuesday. No deaths have been reported.

Farm closure and recalls

AFSCA first identified the contamination in May, recalled the eggs and closed a hen house at the farm. As further cases were reported, the entire farm was closed and its poultry were culled following a second recall on August 10.

The eggs were sold by Laerco BV, which did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Potential exposure

Up to 2 million potentially contaminated eggs were sold in Belgium and neighbouring Luxembourg, where the local health agency also issued a recall.

AFSCA said people who developed symptoms were infected with a strain found at the farm. The agency said more people may have contracted the disease without being tested because they had mild symptoms or no symptoms.

Some recalled eggs may still be in households and could lead to additional cases, an AFSCA spokesperson said. Cooking eggs reduces the risk of infection.

Salmonella symptoms

Salmonella is a group of rod-shaped bacteria that can cause salmonellosis, a common foodborne illness. Symptoms typically include diarrhoea, fever and abdominal cramps.