UK Salmonella Enteritidis Outbreaks Surpass 600 Cases Across Three Clusters, Linked to Imported Eggs

More than 622 people have been sickened and two have died across three concurrent Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak clusters in the United Kingdom, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the Food Standards Agency (FSA), and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), which are jointly investigating the situation.

Of more than 170 ill people interviewed, 143 reported eating food prepared outside the home in the week before symptom onset. Investigations have linked 47 cases to 11 businesses, with at least 24 infected individuals having eaten dishes containing eggs. According to Food Safety News, "The eggs come from multiple sources, but two large importers are being investigated further." Officials noted that genetic relatedness of the clusters and food information suggests illnesses are associated with eating imported eggs at small cafés, restaurants, and takeaways. Targeted sampling is ongoing, though authorities cautioned that many samples would be required to achieve confidence in results.

Three Clusters: Scale and Demographics

The largest cluster has recorded 391 confirmed cases and one death, with sample dates ranging from 11 August 2025 to 8 September 2026. In the past month alone, 132 infections were reported in England. Patient ages span from under one year to 90 years old, with a median age of 30. Of 173 cases with available information, 45 have been hospitalised.

A second cluster has identified 189 cases in England, with sample dates from 27 May 2025 to 2 September 2026. Patients range in age from under one year to 92, with a median of 29 years old. Of 52 patients with information available, 24 were admitted to hospital.

A third cluster comprises 42 cases and one death, with sample dates from 27 January to 24 August 2026. Seven people have been hospitalised in this group, with patient ages ranging from under one year to 87 and a median age of 32.

Regional Breakdown

Scotland has 15 confirmed cases — 14 in the first cluster and one in the third cluster reported by UKHSA, with sample dates from 1 April to 14 August 2026. Patients range in age from 2 to 78 with a median of 36 years old, and 10 are female. Several people in Scotland have reported bloody diarrhoea, though none have been hospitalised for salmonellosis. There are also two Scottish cases from 2025 in the second cluster. Wales has 10 cases in the first cluster and two in the second. One patient in the first cluster lives in Northern Ireland, and two illnesses have been reported in Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man.

European Dimension

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is monitoring the Salmonella Enteritidis sequence type 11 cluster, with at least 34 people hospitalised across Europe. In July 2026, the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) restarted an investigation into a related outbreak that began in spring 2025, involving 111 patients — 31 recorded in 2026, including 10 in June and eight in July. RIVM stated it is too early to draw conclusions about the source. Sick individuals have also been identified in Belgium, Austria, Denmark, France, and Germany.

Regulatory Oversight and Listeria Consultation

Defra's UK Office for SPS and Trade Assurance oversees market access arrangements for imported food. Separately, the FSA is seeking views on revised listeriosis guidance for health and social care settings in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales, with a consultation open until 16 December 2026. The main changes clarify legal obligations for food businesses in health and social care settings, update the Listeria risky foods list, and bring legislative references up to date.