Egg alert: NSW eggs suspected in salmonella outbreak
At least three people have gotten salmonella food poisoning after purchasing eggs from a well-known supermarket.
The infection is believed to have come from eggs bought in the Melbourne suburb of Werribee.
According to The Weekly Times, the eggs were supplied from farms in New South Wales.
However, a spokesman for the NSW Department of Primary Industries disputed those claims.
“There is no evidence to suggest the reported illnesses in Victoria are connected to NSW eggs, or even eggs. The matter is an active investigation being undertaken by Victorian authorities.
“There are no current recalls of eggs in NSW and no warnings with regards to eggs.”
Since 2012, 12 farms have been identified to be contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis bacteria and have been working to eliminate the infection.
Once bacteria affects poultry, it can be difficult to eradicate as it infects hens’ ovaries, where it is then excreted into their eggs as they are formed.
The infection spread rapidly between the farms as the farmers buy and sell eggs from each other.
Most infections were discovered in 2019 and the majority of the farms have had their hens removed, but the NSW DPI is still clearing three properties.
There are still salmonella cases in humans in NSW which are linked to a yet-to-be-identified farm.
Salmonella poisoning occurs when salmonella bacteria is ingested which is carried in the faeces of infected animals.
It is most commonly transmitted through eating undercooked foods or poor hygiene practices, and can cause stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, chills, throwing up and an upset stomach.