Two-year-old among more than a dozen Scots affected by salmonella outbreak

Key Points

Two-year-old among 13 cases in Scotland after salmonella outbreak
Ten of the 13 cases are female
None of the cases havs reported travel outside of UK
259 cases UK-wide and one death, say UKHSA
No hospital admissions or deaths in Scotland related to outbreak

A two-year-old child is among 13 cases in Scotland reported after a UK-wide salmonella outbreak.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) launched an investigation into the outbreak in May after there was an increase in salmonella cases “caused by a single strain”.

Officials reiterated that babies, young children, pregnant women, and older people should eat only thoroughly cooked eggs in restaurants and cafes.

There is no evidence that eggs produced in the UK are affected, and the risk to the public remains low.

As of August 25, there have been 259 cases of salmonella and one death, the UKHSA said.

How many cases are in Scotland?

As of Thursday, there have been 13 confirmed cases in Scotland associated with the outbreak.

12 of one genetic strain (known as the t5.9411 strain) and one of another genetic strain (known as the t5.9765 strain) have been recorded.

Eight of those cases have confirmed they have not travelled outside of Scotland, indicating they have likely acquired their infection within the country.

Scotland

Pregnant women and children should only eat UK-safe eggs after salmonella outbreak

Six Scots are among hundreds affected by a nationwide salmonella outbreak

No travel outside of the UK is reported by cases, but three cases have reported travel in England or eating food prepared by a food business based in England during their incubation period.

Ten of the 13 cases are female, with the youngest two years old and the oldest 78.

Several cases have reported experiencing bloody diarrhoea, one of the more severe clinical symptoms that does not affect all individuals who contract salmonellosis.

No individuals have reported hospitalisation specifically for their illness, and there have been no outbreak-associated deaths in Scotland.

Identified cases in Scotland are being interviewed to gather information on foods consumed and other exposures that may have resulted in illness, Public Health Scotland said.

There have been no recent Scottish cases in the third genetic outbreak cluster that UKHSA is investigating.

Salmonella generally causes a self-limiting gastroenteritis, with symptoms including stomach cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting or fever.

More than a third of people affected (38%) in the UK-wide outbreak have been admitted to hospital, with two people developing potentially life-threatening bloodstream infections.

People affected include babies and people as old as 90, according to the UKHSA.

PHS says it is working closely with the NHS health boards, Food Standards Scotland (FSS), UKHSA, FSA and other partner organisations.

What is the picture across the UK?

Cases have risen since the 207 reported last week, with sample dates ranging from August 11, 2025, to August 1, 2026.

Since beginning its investigation of salmonella enteritidis t5.9411 cases, the UKHSA has also identified two further clusters – t0.24068 and t5.9765.

These are genetically distinct from t5.9411 but are part of a wider family of salmonella enteritidis.

Cases across all three clusters have increased since June, and their genetics suggest they may all be linked to imported eggs.

Hannah Charles, lead epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “It’s important to emphasise that the overall risk to the general public remains low.

“In England, all Salmonella samples from patients presenting to hospitals or primary care undergo whole genome sequencing, which provides a good understanding of the emergence of new outbreaks.

“Our investigation to date indicates a link to imported eggs, this investigation remains ongoing.

“We will continue to follow up on cases and investigate any further common sources if they come to light.

“Salmonella infection typically causes diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting and fever for a short period in most people.

“However, it can lead to more serious illness, including sepsis requiring hospital admission, particularly in those who are more vulnerable to infection.”