Felixstowe port health officials avert Salmonella outbreak

Officials around the world have been on the alert for Salmonella sub-species mbandaka following 196 cases - some of which have caused severe illness and in one case, a death.

Luckily, Jose Arruga, an Official Veterinary Surgeon (OVS) at the Suffolk Coastal Port Health Authority (SCPHA) spotted the bacteria in a consignment of 21,800kg of cooked chicken before it entered the country.

The East Suffolk Council officials - who were praised for their efforts - ordered the destruction of the entire batch after carrying out an inspection as it entered the UK's busiest container port.

Salmonella mbandaka has been responsible for infectious outbreaks across the world with confirmed cases reported in the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Finland, Estonia, Czechia and Israel, according to an analysis by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). 

Out of these, 19 people were hospitalised, five suffering septicaemia. 81 cases originated in the UK alone, resulting in the death of one person. 

"Unlike raw chicken, all pre-cooked chicken must be completely devoid of Salmonella according to UK legislation, as consumers are not expected to cook it as thoroughly," explained Mr Arruga. 

"We have therefore ordered the destruction of this consignment and increased our checks to root out any more instances of Salmonella mbandaka." 

The SCPHA team found Salmonella in a previous import of chicken from the same factory when carrying out its routine checks - and as a result, it ramped up checks on all imports from the site. 

When Mr Arruga sampled the factory’s next export to Felixstowe he found no issues with it physically - but laboratory tests on a sample were positive for Salmonella mbandaka. 

"As per guidance from the Food Standards Agency (FSA), up to 30 imports of this product from the location in question must be clear of any contamination before we can resume routine checks. 

"The cause could be something as simple as contaminated equipment at the factory or a wider issue." 

Salmonella mbandaka can result in fever, vomiting and diarrhoea for a few days in the majority of people - but it also has potential to result in serious harm for the elderly and vulnerable, said Mr Arruga.

Food Standards Agency head of incidents Tina Potter welcomed the successful interception of the consignment of infected cooked chicken by the SCPHA and commended it for its work.

"This case highlights the importance of high-quality import checks and inspections at ports across the country," she said.

"While Salmonella may only cause mild illness for most people, it carries a greater risk of causing severe illness for vulnerable people such as young children, the elderly, and those who are immunocompromised.

"The steps taken by dedicated officers at Suffolk Coastal Port Health Authority has helped keep UK consumers safe.”