Outbreak with Salmonella Umbilo linked to Arugula Lettuce

Aarhus, Denmark

####Update 18 November 2024:

A person has died as part of a Salmonella outbreak affecting multiple countries, linked to contaminated salad imported from Italy.

Denmark and Austria reported Salmonella Umbilo cases after Germany's EpiPulse alert. By mid-October, Denmark had 22 cases and Austria 19. Additionally, six other European countries confirmed between 1 and 20 cases each.

Source: www.foodsafetynews.com/2024/11/one-dead-in-eu-wide-salmonella-outbreak/


Update 28 October 2024:
Authorities have now traced the source to lettuce from Italy. This discovery follows an extensive investigation by the DTU Food Institute, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, and the Statens Serum Institut (SSI). The affected salad includes organic rocket salad and baby spinach, with Danish cases linked to products bought at Rema1000 and Aarstiderne.

22 patients in Denmark, mostly adults, with 10 requiring hospitalization.
Similar cases were also reported in Germany and Austria.

The Italian supplier has initiated a recall of affected salads, which includes organic rocket salad and mixed salad distributed in Denmark through Rema1000 and Aarstiderne.

Health authorities emphasize the importance of rinsing salads and vegetables thoroughly before consumption, as this practice can reduce bacterial contamination by up to 80%.

Only salads labeled as "Rinsed and ready to use" are exempt from this recommendation.

Source: www.ssi.dk/aktuelt/nyheder/2024/salat-fra-italien-aarsag-til-salmonellaudbrud


In an ongoing international outbreak, Denmark's Statens Serum Institut has registered 23 cases of Salmonella Umbilo since July 2024. The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration and the Norwegian Food Institute DTU are investigating the outbreak, with arugula lettuce suspected as the source of infection. Cases have been reported in several European countries. The 23 cases were registered between July and September 2024, with 16 men and 7 women affected.

The Central Outbreak Group, comprising the Statens Serum Institut, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, and the DTU Food Institute, is managing the outbreak. The group is conducting whole-genome sequencing of isolates from patients and interviewing patients to identify the source of infection. Cooperation is also ongoing with authorities in other European countries affected by the outbreak.

The patients range in age from 0 to 85, with a median age of 52. Although the patients are spread across the country, the majority are located west of the Great Belt. Number of people affected:
- The capital (Hovedstaden): 4
- Central Jutland (Midtjylland): 10
- Northern Jutland (Nordjylland): 3
- Zealand (Sjælland): 0
- Southern Denmark (Syddanmark): 6



Source: www.ssi.dk/sygdomme-beredskab-og-forskning/sygdomsudbrud/2024_udbrud-med-salmonella-umbilo