These illnesses can prove especially nasty in young children and the elderly.
Health experts have issued an urgent warning following the unprecedented increase in cases of a severe infection across England, marking the highest reported rates in over a decade. There was a notable surge in instances of campylobacter infections, with statistics recording a rise of 17.1 per cent between 2023 and 2024.
Campylobacter bacteria are responsible for a condition known as campylobacteriosis which causes diarrhoea as well as stomach cramps, episodes of vomiting, and recurring bouts of fever typically lasting a week. The majority of people suffering from the infection will recover without treatment, although in some cases it can be more dangerous especially among children and elderly people.
At the same time, a rise in salmonella was also documented countrywide, with infections also rising 17.1 per cent. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said there had been a “significant rise” in campylobacter and salmonella infections.
As the UKHSA highlighted: “UKHSA is reminding people to take precautionary measures against catching these bacteria, which are common causes of food poisoning. Young children, elderly adults and those with weakened immune systems should take extra care as they are at higher risk of developing severe illness.
“Campylobacter cases have increased by 17.1 per cent from 60,055 in 2023 to 70,352 in 2024, reaching 121.9 reports per 100,000 population. This represents the highest number of cases recorded in the past decade.
“Adults aged 50 to 79 years account for 44 per cent of all reports. Similarly, Salmonella infections reached a decade high, with a 17.1 per cent increase from 2023, rising from 8,872 cases in 2023 to 10,388 cases in 2024.”
Youngsters under the age of 10 were disproportionately impacted, making up 21.5 per cent of reported instances.
What’s behind the surge?
These infections are commonly linked to tainted food. Nonetheless, the precise cause of this upswing in illnesses is currently under scrutiny.
The UKHSA stated: “Campylobacter and salmonella infections are usually caught by eating contaminated food, including poultry, meat, eggs, raw fruit or vegetables, and unpasteurised milk products. Infection may also occur through close contact with people with the infection – particularly in household settings – and by cross-contamination in the kitchen, for example when utensils are used for both cooked and uncooked foods.
“UKHSA and Food Standard Agency (FSA) experts are investigating further with partner agencies to understand the reasons behind this increase in salmonella and campylobacter cases.”
It is also possible for an individual to transmit a salmonella and campylobacter infection to others, though this is relatively uncommon.
The Cleveland Clinic points out: “The bacteria live in your poop. From there, they can spread from your hands to other people. If someone touches a contaminated surface and then touches their mouth, they might get sick. But transmission between humans doesn’t happen as often as other methods (like eating undercooked poultry).”
Symptoms
Campylobacteriosis symptoms include:.
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach cramping
- Vomiting
- Fever
In infants the diarrhoea may also contain blood. This illness can also result in dehydration.
Salmonella causes the same symptoms, although you may also get a headache.
How to reduce your risk of illness
To lower your risk of getting sick, the Cleveland Clinic recommends you:
- Don’t make food for others if you’re sick
- Always wash your hands with soap and water after going to the bathroom
- Wash your hands before and after preparing food or eating
- Wash food prep and eating surfaces and utensils before and after use
- Cook foods to a safe temperature before eating
- Don’t handle any other foods while working with raw meat, poultry, seafood or eggs
- Wash or peel vegetables and fruits before cutting, eating or cooking
- Refrigerate or freeze meat, poultry and seafood as soon as possible
- Don’t drink unpasteurised milk or food made with unpasteurised milk
- Don’t drink untreated water or eat food prepared with untreated water