Salmonella hits 61 in Ireland
An outbreak of salmonella poisoning has affected 61 people, hospitalising five victims, and led to a public health warning being issued by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).
The FSAI advised hotels, restaurants, contract caterers, hospitals and retirement homes not to use raw eggs in making products that are not heated sufficiently to kill bacteria.
The likely source has been identified as egg-fried rice supplied through a County Wicklow Chinese restaurant. The business has closed down while investigations continue.
Three outbreaks of salmonella poisoning occurred in Donegal one month ago. More than 60 people were affected and eight were hospitalised, leading to the official warning last week. Health Board investigations showed that eggs were the most likely source.
One-third of the eggs used in the Irish Republic are imported.
