Campylobacter cases rocket

The number of reported food poisoning cases declined in Scotland last year for the first time, but continued to rise in England and Wales, according to figures released to coincide with last week's National Food Safety Week.

Reported infections in England and Wales totalled 93,932 and 9,167 in Scotland. However, a forthcoming Government report will claim that only one in four cases of salmonella is reported, and only one in nine of campylobacter.

Reported campylobacter infections soared to almost 60,000 cases in the UK. Its true incidence, however, is believed to be nearer 500,000.

A spokeswoman for the Public Health Laboratory Service said that there was still much to learn about the bug.

A salmonella vaccine was introduced last year, while the cool summer may have reduced poisonings from cross-contamination and inadequate cooking.

However, as campylobacter does not multiply on food like other bugs, its rise is suspected to stem from increased contamination of raw food.