Salmonella outbreak toll could reach 1,500 cases instead of official count

The official count for salmonella infections in Britain might be missing the vast majority of victims, according to a leading specialist. UK Health Security Agency officials reported yesterday that confirmed cases across three distinct clusters have hit 528. Two deaths have already occurred from this outbreak, which authorities suspect stems from imported eggs. Yet Paul Wigley, a professor studying animal microbial ecosystems at the University of Bristol, argues the real toll could be far higher.

'The actual number might sit around the 1,500 to 2,000 mark,' he told the Daily Mail. 'I would not be shocked if it is much higher than that.' Wigley expects roughly that many cases, though he admits the figure could go even further up. For context, about 10,000 lab-confirmed salmonella cases appear in the UK annually. The Food Standards Agency believes the true annual total hovers near 32,000.

Why the gap? Hundreds of patients likely suffer milder forms of the disease without severe symptoms like prolonged diarrhoea. They are unlikely to seek medical help and thus never get tested or counted as official cases. Salmonella is deadly for some, but those with strong immune systems often shake it off within a week. 'Most people will just say I am not that ill,' Prof Wigley explained. 'They will ride it out.'

Even the milder versions bring uncomfortable and nasty symptoms. Stomach cramps are common, while prolonged bouts of diarrhoea can lead to severe dehydration. Other dangerous reactions include blood poisoning, organ failure, and death. The bacteria typically enter the body through contaminated food such as poultry, meat, eggs, raw fruit and vegetables, or unpasteurised dairy products. Those most at risk of fatal complications are infants, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.

More than a third of patients in these three outbreaks have needed hospital treatment. Prof Wigley speaks weeks after Dr Damien Tully from the Medical Research Council warned that confirmed cases were 'likely to be just the tip of the iceberg'. 'Many salmonella infections cause relatively short-lived gastrointestinal illness,' he added. 'People may recover without ever being tested, meaning the true number of infections associated with an outbreak can be considerably higher than the number identified through laboratory surveillance.'

Officials have so far linked these infections to eating out at small cafes, restaurants and takeaway businesses. Food safety chiefs are urging Britons to avoid raw or lightly cooked egg products like mousses, mayonnaise, or hollandaise sauce. Vulnerable groups including those over 65, pregnant women, and children under five are also advised to steer clear of runny eggs when dining out. Officials state there is no evidence that eggs produced in the UK pose any threat.

Hannah Charles, lead epidemiologist at UKHSA, said yesterday: 'We continue to work closely with the Food Standards Agency and other public health partners to investigate these Salmonella clusters.' She noted that investigations indicate a link to imported eggs but remain ongoing. The team will follow up cases and look for any further common sources if they come to light. Charles also stressed that the overall risk to the public remains low.