Salmonellosis - Finland

Salmonellosis – Finland

February 14, 2021
< 1 min read

At least 30 people have fallen ill after eating at a restaurant in Finland during the end of January 2021.

An investigation by public health officials in the town of Kokkola, also known as Karleby, found salmonellosis was behind the illnesses. The 1st infection was recorded on 27 Jan 2021, and no patients have been reported since 29 Jan 2021. The most common symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain.

Sigrid’s restaurant carried out cleaning and extensive disinfection after the suspicion of an outbreak was raised. Operations at the eatery are continuing as normal. Initially, no Salmonella was found in food and surface samples. Additional samples were taken in the restaurant, from staff and of the food. Preliminary results show the suspected source of infection is a frozen product for use in commercial kitchens. Findings will be confirmed later in February 2021 after further investigations are completed. Sales of the implicated product have been suspended in the country, according to officials.

Photo: Salmonella (red) invading human cells.

Infection with salmonella in developed countries generally results in food poisoning. The organisms enter through the digestive tract and must be ingested in large numbers to cause disease in healthy adults. Between 60% to 80% of salmonella infections cases go un-diagnosed.

Risk factors for salmonella infections include a variety of foods. Meats such as chicken and pork have the possibility to be contaminated. A variety of vegetables and sprouts may also have salmonella. Lastly, a variety of processed foods such as chicken nuggets and pot pies may also contain this bacteria.

Salmonella was first visualized in 1880. The name Salmonella was not used until 1900.

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