Since February 2023, 14 people in Austria have become ill with a specific strain of Salmonella (Salmonella Enteritidis ST11 CT9791). Cases of illness with this strain have also been reported in Denmark, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom.

Another outbreak also involves Salmonella (Salmonella Enteritidis ST11 CT13755); seven people in Austria have become ill since April, and one has died. In the course of clarifying this outbreak, it became apparent that another Salmonella strain (Salmonella Enteritidis ST11 CT2114) was responsible for a further six cases of illness in Austria and also for cases in several other European countries (Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, France).

The investigation of these food-borne outbreaks is carried out in close cooperation between AGES, the Ministry of Health and the relevant provincial authorities. Initial surveys indicate with a high degree of probability that chicken meat from Polish production, which was used for the production of kebab skewers, was the source of infection.

The results of the surveys in Austria were communicated to the European Commission and EU Member States through the European rapid alert system RASFF. The information from Austria can be used, especially in Poland, for further surveys and necessary measures.

Information for consumers:inside:

When buying a chicken kebap, make sure that the meat is well heated through: salmonella is safely killed at a temperature above 70 °C after at least 15 seconds; however, this temperature must be reached everywhere in the meat.