Salmonella infections in England reach highest level in a decade
The Story
The number of laboratory-confirmed salmonella cases in England last year reached its highest level in a decade, according to figures released by the UK Health Security Agency. Cases of non-typhoidal salmonella rose 26% from 2016 to 2025, and the infection rate increased over the same period. The agency urged good hygiene habits to reduce risk.
Key Facts
- There were 10,406 laboratory-confirmed cases of non-typhoidal salmonella in England in 2025.
- This is 26% higher than the 8,242 cases in 2016 and just above the 10,389 cases in 2024.
- The infection rate rose from 14.9 per 100,000 people in 2016 to 17.8 per 100,000 in 2025.
- The UK Health Security Agency highlighted consistently high numbers of salmonella and campylobacter infections.
- Campylobacter cases fell from 70,392 to 69,394 year-on-year but remained stubbornly high.
- Foodborne outbreak data shows 13 types of salmonella bacteria caused 269 illnesses in 2025, with 33 hospitalisations and no deaths.
- Outbreak sources included four restaurants, a takeaway, a hospital, a nursery, and a prison, all unnamed.
- Children aged up to nine are most affected by salmonella, and it affects men and women equally.
- The highest number of cases occurred in September 2025.
- Listeriosis killed 28 of 181 infected people in 2025 and caused 13 stillbirths or miscarriages.
Conflicting Reports
No conflicting reports identified in the source article.
Still Unclear
The article does not specify why salmonella cases rose or what caused the specific outbreaks.
Misconceptions
No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.
Key Figures
- Dr Gauri Godbole, UKHSA’s deputy director for gastrointestinal infections
- Dr James Cooper, Food Standards Agency’s deputy director of food policy
Sources: The Guardian
