Rise of the killer bug: Super-salmonella that cannot be treated is spreading across Europe

A super-salmonella bug that cannot be treated by any drug is on the rise in Britain, scientists warn.
They think the strain originated in Egypt and is now being spread across Europe by contaminated fruit, vegetables and spices.
So far at least 200 Britons have been infected with the bug know as Salmonella Kentucky since 2000.

Super bug: Scientists think the new strain of Salmonella originated in Egypt and is now being spread across Europe by contaminated fruit, vegetables and spices

The scientists from the World Health Organisation warn that there have probably  been many more cases which were never to health officials.
Figures show that the number of Britons infected with this particular type has  trebled over the last decade.
In 2000 less than 20 cases were reported to the Health Protection Agency but  this had gone up to 60 in 2008, the most recently available figures. It is not  known if anyone has died from this strain.

 

There are around 2,500 different types of salmonella bacteria across the world lurking in soil or in the intestines or animals.
Most people catch the bug by eating infected chicken or eggs but it can also be  spread by fruit or vegetables that has been contaminated in the soil
It isn’t normally serious and symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, headaches  and fever clear up without treatment within a few days.

Food poisoning: Most people catch salmonella by eating infected chicken, eggs or red meat

But it can be deadly in the elderly, young children and patients with long-term  illnesses such as cancer and often they need antibiotics.
Scientists from the Institut Pasteur at the World Health Organisation in Paris,  France say that this particular type is resistant to all types of drugs.
They are concerned it could spread very quickly around the world – and could  prove deadly for the most vulnerable.
The scientists, whose study is published in the Journal of Infectious Disease,  looked at the number of reported cases in England and Wales, France, Denmark  and the USA between 2002 and 2008.
They discovered that in all countries the number of cases had increased  substantially.
The scientists think that the strain originated in Egypt in the 1990s and has  since spread to other African countries such as Morocco and Ethiopia through  infected poultry.
They think it is now being spread across Europe through contaminated spices,  fruit or vegetables imported from Africa.
Dr Le Hello, lead researcher said: "We hope that this publication might stir  awareness among national and international health, food, and agricultural  authorities so that they take the necessary measures to control and stop the  dissemination of this strain before it spreads globally”.
Most people catch salmonella by eating infected chicken, eggs or red meat.
But it can also be caught by eating fruit and vegetables that has been  contaminated by the bug in the soil.