One dead and hundreds ill in UK salmonella outbreak

A person has died and hundreds have fallen ill with salmonella food posioning in an outbreak that UK experts believe is linked to eating food made with imported eggs.

The UK Health Security Agency has launched an investigation , external into the 207 cases it has seen in the past year, with most recorded in recent weeks.

More than a third of those affected - some babies and others as old as 90 - have needed hospital care, with two developing serious blood poisoning. Most people get better without treatment, however.

While salmonella cases can happen any time, this outbreak involves a specific, identical strain.

Symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting or fever. These usually develop between 12 and 72 hours after becoming infected.

Anyone who is concerned should contact their GP or out of hours service in the first instance, says the UKHSA.

Most cases - 199 of the 207 - have been in England, including 47 in London and 38 in Yorkshire and Humber.

Hannah Charles, lead epidemiologist for gastrointestinal infections at UKHSA, said: "We're working with Food Standards Agency and other public health agencies to investigate a salmonella outbreak that may be linked to eggs imported from outside of the UK."