Early 2025 UK data shows continued rise in infections

Recent data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows Salmonella and Campylobacter infections in England are continuing to rise.

There has been an increasing trend in the number of confirmed laboratory reports for both Campylobacter and Salmonella from 2023 to the first quarter of 2025. 

Campylobacter lab reports increased from 60,055 in 2023 to 70,352 in 2024. Figures from the first quarter (Q1) of each year indicate rises from 10,588 reports in Q1 2023 to 12,985 in Q1 2024, then to 15,838 in Q1 2025.

Salmonella increased from 8,872 in 2023 to 10,388 in 2024. In the first quarter of 2023 there were 1,328 reports, compared to 1,541 in Q1 2024, and 1,588 in Q1 2025.

Campylobacter and Salmonella outbreaks
In 2024, nine Campylobacter outbreaks were reported to UKHSA. They affected 122 people, of which 28 were laboratory-confirmed cases. The larger outbreaks were associated with consumption of liver or products containing chicken or lamb liver such as a pate or parfait. Three outbreaks were reported in care home settings and the other six were linked to eating in pubs or restaurants, or at events. The largest incident had 61 cases and was caused by chicken liver parfait consumed in a stadium.

Seven outbreaks of Salmonella were reported in 2024. They sickened 304 people of which 280 were lab confirmed. Outbreaks were associated with different food vehicles including eggs, tomatoes, and red meat products.

A Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak was the largest incident with 109 cases. It was traced to red meat. A Salmonella Blockley outbreak affected 81 people and was linked to tomatoes. Tomatoes were also blamed for a Salmonella Strathcona outbreak with 24 patients.

Two Salmonella Enteritidis outbreaks had 24 cases and were caused by eggs served at restaurants. The source of a Salmonella Anatum outbreak with 37 cases was not found.

E. coli and Listeria outbreaks
There were five national Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) outbreaks in 2024 involving 362 people in England, of which 348 were lab confirmed. All outbreaks were caused by STEC non-O157. Investigations identified the source of three outbreaks. These were caused by a beef product, fresh fruit, and salad leaves.

Three outbreaks affecting 64, 56, and 13 people were caused by E. coli O26. An E. coli O103 outbreak with an unknown source had 33 patients and 10 hospitalizations. STEC O145 was behind the biggest incident with 196 sick after eating salad leaves.

There were seven Listeria monocytogenes outbreaks in England. Two also included cases in Wales. The number of lab confirmed cases was 44. Investigations identified the source of five outbreaks. They were traced to smoked fish, garlic sausage, chocolate or strawberry mousse, and prepacked sandwiches – all considered to be high-risk foods for listeriosis in vulnerable groups.

Fifteen deaths were reported in Listeria outbreaks. The largest incident sickened 19 people.

There were 32 outbreaks of Cryptosporidium with 25 caused by Cryptosporidium parvum. Overall, 1,544 people were sick, of which 547 were lab confirmed. Twenty-four outbreaks were linked to commercial farms holding lambing events or to open or petting farms. Three outbreaks were associated with childcare and educational settings, one with milkshakes and another with the consumption of contaminated mains drinking water.

Four outbreaks sickened more than 100 people. Three of these were at farms holding public lambing events and the other was the drinking water outbreak. A total of 781 people fell ill in one outbreak while 482 were affected in another.

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