UK salmonella cases nearing 500 as egg investigations continue

Close to 500 people have become ill with salmonella linked to imported eggs, say UK authorities, who say they have identified two new clusters of the infection.

The UK Health Security Agency , external reported 207 cases last week. That has been increased to 259, with the two new clusters bringing the total to 474. There have been two deaths recorded.

Some of the cases date back a year, but all involve bacteria that are almost genetically identical, suggesting a common food source.

Investigations are ongoing, but based on what is known so far, experts say people have fallen sick after eating out rather than cooking eggs at home.

Cases of salmonella are being seen in other European countries , external too - Austria (2), Belgium (15), Denmark (1), France (4), Germany (6), the Netherlands (106).

Investigations in the Netherlands suggests a link with chicken meat, rather than eggs.

Salmonella can be found in a number of food sources including raw or under-cooked poultry or meat and eggs.

More than a third of those ill in the UK - some babies and others as old as 92 - have needed hospital care.