Safety alert over CHICKEN meat as officials hunt mystery source of killer salmonella outbreak that has sickened dozens of Brits

Chicken meat and kebabs could be the source of a salmonella outbreak that has affected dozens of Britons, officials say.

At least 335 people across Europe – including 110 in Britain – have been sickened by the same outbreak. One has died.

Health chiefs are now urgently searching for the source, warning that more cases are likely to occur until it is found.

The majority of cases, which have affected all age groups, can be linked to chicken meat, including kebabs.

Salmonella usually causes fever, nausea and diarrhea, which clears up within a few days, but it can be fatal.

At least 335 people across Europe – including 110 in Britain – have been sickened by the same outbreak. One has died. Health chiefs are now urgently searching for the source, warning that more cases are likely to occur until it is found. The majority of cases, which have affected all age groups, can be linked to chicken meat, including kebabs

Salmonella is a group of bacteria that infect the intestines. It is often caused by contaminated food or water. Symptoms of infection include diarrhea, stomach cramps and sometimes vomiting and fever. On average, it takes 12 to 72 hours for symptoms to develop after ingesting an infectious dose of salmonella. The photo shows a culture of salmonella bacteria

The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control issued the warning jointly with the European Food Safety Authority.

Every case of the outbreak, which has affected 16 countries, has occurred since early 2023.

One specific strain, a subtype of Salmonella enteritidis, is responsible for the outbreak, which has been split into three different clusters.

Officials routinely investigate outbreaks to keep them under control.

The three clusters included 66, 192 and 77 cases respectively, of which 14, 83 and 13 were recorded in Britain.

Of the 335 cases, nine were hospitalized in three countries, while one fatality – who had eaten a chicken kebab in a restaurant – was recorded in Austria.

During the second cluster, one case was discovered in the US among someone who had traveled to Spain and reportedly ate chicken during their stay.

The EFSA said: ‘Scientists expect that new cases are likely to emerge from this multi-country outbreak as the source has not yet been identified.

‘Experts from EFSA and ECDC recommend further investigation to identify potential locations within the chicken meat production chain where contamination may have occurred.’

Salmonella – a family of bacteria – lives in it the nerve of farm animals and birds. It can therefore be found in meat, eggs and poultry.

Symptoms usually include diarrhea and stomach cramps and may be accompanied by vomiting and fever.

The disease usually clears up after three days and most people recover without treatment.

Blood poisoning, abscesses and joint pain are rare complications, according to the NHS.