The number of Britons affected by a nasty food virus that can be deadly has reached an all-time high, NHS data reveals.
A further 1,468 people were hospitalised with salmonella last year, according to figures published on the NHS Digital website. This figure has reached a new high since the start of recent records in 2010.
The figure almost doubled last year, soaring from 791 in the year ending March 2022 and 545 the year prior due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The last time hospital admissions were at a similar rate was back in 2019.
The bacterial disease can be transmitted through poultry, beef, and pork, as well as eggs, dairy, and nuts and vegetables, and causes severe food poisoning that leads to vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and stomach pain. That is, other vulnerable people whose immunity is compromised, this can be deadly.
The figures came as the Food Standards Agency (FSA) recently revealed it was investigating a salmonella cases linked to poultry in Poland. Tina Potter, the FSA’s head of incidents, said in September: “A number of the cases have involved the consumption of eggs produced in Poland and used in meals in restaurants and cafes.”
Meanwhile, supermarket giant Morrison’s urgently recalled its own chorizo logo the same month after discovering it was infected with the bacteria. Once salmonella enters the body, it takes about 8 hours for other people to notice symptoms.
Infants, young children, the elderly, and others with underlying health problems, such as heart, lung, or kidney disease, are more vulnerable because they are more prone to dehydration. Dr Sarah Jarvis, a GP, told The Sun: “This can even lead to diarrhoea (which can be bloody), painful abdominal cramps and nausea.
“It can also cause fever and other people with salmonella don’t feel well. “Jarvis added: “It’s not life-threatening, but it can cause widespread infection in the body, adding meningitis. “
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