Danish officials are trying to find the source of a Salmonella outbreak that has affected 16 people.
The sick people have been infected with the same type of Salmonella Enteritidis, according to the Statens Serum Institut (SSI).
Patients fell ill between March 31 and June 23. They are 11 men and five women between the ages of 8 to 59 years old with a median of 28.
Ten live in the Hovedstaden region, four in Sjælland and one each in Midtjylland and Syddanmark.
SSI, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (Fødevarestyrelsen) and the DTU Food Institute are investigating the outbreak to identify the source of the infections.
The Statens Serum Institut is responsible for sequencing isolates from patients and interviewing them or their relatives to identify the possible sources of infection.
Whole-genome sequencing of the bacteria isolated from patients shows they are closely related and belong to sequence type 11.
About Salmonella
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile, according to the CDC.
Anyone who has developed symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.
Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions. Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.
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