Largest salmonella outbreak in years linked to duck eggs

Related tags Salmonella Fsai

The largest outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium DT8 in recent years in Ireland has been found to be linked to duck eggs, according to an ongoing investigation.

With five new cases in August, the total number of confirmed cases nationwide have been brought up to 24 said the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

The latest cases are generally linked to duck eggs from small flocks or private farms. Hen’s eggs have not been linked to the outbreak.

The FSAI has said that it is working with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on control measures for commercial flocks and smaller backyard flocks on private farms.

A code of practice and some guidelines have also been published for flock owners and producers. Work is also underway by Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, to develop a new quality assurance scheme to ensure a safe source of duck eggs in the future.

The FSAI has said that it is working closely with a host of other agencies to control this outbreak and to prevent further cases of food poisoning.

Last month, the number of eggs recalled nationwide in the US exceeded half a billion due to contamination with salmonella enteridis.