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Berlin – There is an outbreak of certain salmonella in Germany, Austria and Denmark. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) announced that 98 cases have already been recorded in this country alone (data as of September 24th). For comparison: From 2015 to 2023 there were only one to six cases of illness per year that were caused by the bacterium Salmonella Umbilo.

The temporal and spatial occurrence of the cases suggests a connection to a food product sold nationwide, it said. Interviews with those affected have shown clear indications of rocket as a possible source.

In Austria, S. Umbilo has already been detected in samples of rocket from Italy. “It can be assumed that the majority of cases in the three countries were probably caused by contaminated arugula.”

According to the RKI, the first cases of the disease became known in Germany at the end of July. From the beginning of August there was a significant increase in the number of cases, with 16 to 18 cases per week since then. “All federal states except Bremen and Saarland are affected.” Deaths have not yet been recorded.

The actual number of cases is certainly significantly higher than that recorded, as only some of the people with gastrointestinal complaints see a doctor and only some of these are microbiologically tested. It was said that further infections are to be expected in the coming period.

Salmonella Umbilo is a rare subtype of the bacterial species Salmonella enterica. Like other types of Salmonella, it can cause foodborne illnesses in humans.

Typical symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps, nausea and vomiting, and fever. Severe cases can occur, especially in small children, older people and those with weakened immune systems. © dpa/aerzteblatt.de