Salmonella Enteritidis Outbreak in Denmark linked to a School Meal

Copenhagen, Denmark

Update June 4th, 2026:
Statens Serum Institut has reported one additional case associated with the Salmonella Enteritidis ST11 outbreak linked to a school meal program in Zealand, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 23.

The latest update indicates that the outbreak now includes 11 males and 12 females. Investigators continue working to identify the source of contamination, and the outbreak investigation remains ongoing.

Source: Statens Serum Institut


Update May 28th, 2026:
Statens Serum Institut has reported 22 confirmed cases of Salmonella Enteritidis ST11 linked to a shared school meal program at several schools in Zealand, Denmark. This marks an increase from the previously reported 18 cases.

The outbreak involves 10 males and 12 females, primarily children between 3 and 15 years old, along with four adults aged 21 to 63. Most cases are located in the Capital Region, with some also reported in the Zealand region.

Investigators from Statens Serum Institut, the Danish Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Agency, and the National Food Institute continue working to identify the exact source of contamination. Patient interviews found that affected individuals had received meals from the same school meal scheme.

Whole-genome sequencing confirmed that the outbreak strain is Salmonella Enteritidis sequence type 11 (ST11), and the samples are closely genetically related.

Source: Statens Serum Institut


May 19th, 2026:
Statens Serum Institut has reported an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis in Denmark, affecting 18 individuals since April 2026. The cases are linked to a school meal scheme across several schools in the Capital Region. The outbreak involves both children and adults, with patients ranging from 3 to 63 years old.

The outbreak is being investigated by the Central Outbreak Group, which includes the Statens Serum Institut, the Danish Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Agency, and the National Food Institute of Denmark. Interviews with patients or their parents have identified a connection to school meals, prompting further investigations to pinpoint the exact source of the infection.

The Salmonella Enteritidis strain involved in this outbreak has been identified as sequence type 11 through whole-genome sequencing, indicating a close genetic relationship among the cases. The investigation continues as authorities work to control the outbreak and prevent further cases.

Source: www.ssi.dk/sygdomme-beredskab-og-forskning/sygdomsudbrud/2026_salmonella-enteritidis-i-danmark