Nasty strain of Salmonella, resistant to antibiotics

MerylStreep

So it’s our fault for not inspecting contaminated meat and eggs that an eu country is exporting 😡

Well of course it is. And it's called 'bring back control'. Actually, salmonella is the least of your worries, as it can indeed be cooked away. Anything can come in- and there are many other deadly diseases that, if imported, could wipe what is left of the agriculture industry.

Aveline, you are 100% right of course- and for very good (extremely bad) reasons.

Callistemon21

I found this report in a Nottinghamshire paper:

People are being urged to take care over some imported chicken, turkey and eggs after hundreds were infected with Salmonella. An investigation is ongoing into multiple strains of Salmonella linked to poultry products imported to the UK from Poland
7/12/23

It can't be due to Brexit, Aveline because Poland is an EU country so the salmonella infected meat is being imported from the EU anyway.
🤔

Somehow this must have slipped through the restrictions and health checks which are in place.
See: Government Guidance on Importing food and drink from the EU to Great Britain.

What a bizarre post. Perhaps you are not aware that anything, meat or otherwise, can be currently be imported into the UK, from the EU, without any checks at all, NONE.

As said, Salmonella is your least worry.

RosiesMaw

MerylStreep

So it’s our fault for not inspecting contaminated meat and eggs that an eu country is exporting 😡

And not the fault of the inadequate hygiene or farming practices of those other countries

Of course not the Uk's fault- the UK's fault is to currently have a system where any meat, any produce, any product, can be imported into the UK without any checks at all, NONE.

And that is definitely the UK's 'fault' and massive risk.

Swine fever is more of a risk. And many other diseases that could easily spread to animals in UK.

Waiving border checks on goods from the EU – including food and livestock – will put the country at risk of importing devastating infectious diseases such as African swine fever and compound serious damage to UK trade caused by Brexit.

The double warning has been issued by the British Veterinary Association as ministers consider yet another postponement of post-Brexit inspections because of fears that checks will slow supply chains, add to bureaucracy and increase prices in shops at a time when UK consumers are already facing a cost of living crisis.

The already much-delayed rules, including a requirement for veterinary certificates and potential spot checks after arrival, were due to be phased in from 1 July.

Tough new rules on imports were initially hailed by Brexiters as examples of how leaving the EU would allow the UK to “take back control” of its borders.

But now, amid growing evidence that Brexit is harming trade, senior figures in government, led by the minister for “Brexit opportunities”, Jacob Rees-Mogg, have changed tack and decided that less control rather than more is needed over imports in order to speed the flow of goods and reduce costs.

But the relaxation of animal safety standards is worrying both UK vets and many in the farming community.

It is not me saying it, but the experts in UK Agriculture and the representatives of British farmers.

We're doomed all doomed!!

Please stop preaching to us about Brexit and the evils of EU imports FP. It’s very monotonous and tiresome. Don’t you have problems in Switzerland?

I'm confused.
What was so wonderful about membership of the EU and unrestricted imports/exports, travel etc if belonging to the EU will put the country at risk of importing devastating infectious diseases such as African swine fever, salmonella etc.

African swine fever (ASF) has continued to be reported in domestic pigs and wild boar in Europe. Since our last report on 28 June 2023, a marked increase in ASF outbreaks has been reported on domestic pig farms across the Balkan states, particularly in newly affected Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.
In 2022 salmonellosis was the second most reported zoonotic disease in the EU, with 65,208 cases – and a stable notification rate compared with 2021

🤔

Am I missing something?

Do be careful even with British produce make sure it’s cooked properly, most farms have good bio security these days and large supermarkets test for all sorts of nasties so you are pretty safe.

However Free Range cannot be biosecure, wild birds and other animals do carry salmonella, home produced food from local shops does not get tested so be especially careful. With your Christmas Turkey used a meat thermometer to make sure.

Baggs

Agreed, Farmor. I don't like to eat salad that isn't prepared by me or a trusted friend for that very reason.

I'm also a bit puzzled by the mention of salmonella being resistant to antibiotocs as I hadn't thought antibiotocs were the usual treatment for salmonella infections. I know anti-Bs can help in some cases but I thought they were not the standard treatment.

You're right, antibiotics are only used in certain circumstances, eg blood stream infection, severe infection, poor immune system. Most people get over it in about a week.

Let’s hope if Labour get in they will bring us closer to Europe again with their hygeine rules

We do try to buy from local butchers, free range and British BUT it is so much expensive. Many people with big families simply just cannot afford to do this, difference between Tesco large chicken and butcher large chicken is about £6 ditto chicken breast, mince etc etc. it’s an expensive business and of course most of would choose to buy the best and British if we did not have to consider our purses

We have nothing a tesco, morrisons, asda and aldi. no farm shops no fish shops nothing so for me it's what the supermarket sells. We have 1 butcher in town and the parking is extortionate. So I have to have what the supermarket sells.

Tesco sell British certified large chickens for 4.50, serves 6. You don't have to buy from butchers to buy British. Same with mince etc. Aldi also stock British certified meat, cheap too.
. Any one would surely pay a few pence more than risk imported salmonella.

If all meat is cooked through at over 75 degrees centigrade. for at least a few minutes all samonella germs will have been killed. Wash kitchen cloths, tea-towels and towels at this temperature too to kill off any lurking germs. I know we are told to save energy, but a lot of germs are like lice: if you wash them at under 60 degrees you only get cleaner lice!

A chopping board and knife used for raw meat should never be used for anything else, and both should be washed in very hot water after each usage.

Washing cloths or tea towels used for drying anything that may have been in contact with any germs should be scalded with boiling water, rinsed in cold and wrung out.

Only use pasturized eggs if you are using raw eggs in a recipe.

Remember that egg-shells can be contaminated by samonella on the outside, so throw them out as soon as you have cracked them, and WASH YOUR HANDS before continuing to prepare food. Never put egg-shells down on a wooden surface as these cannot be scalded. Place whole eggs and broken egg-shells in a dish that can be washed in very hot water, or scalded.

If you follow these rules, you will greatly minimise, if not entirely prevent, spreading samonella.

ruthiek

Let’s hope if Labour get in they will bring us closer to Europe again with their hygeine rules

😂
Was that meant to be ironic, ruthiek, as the salmonella which is being discussed is being imported from the EU?

Sounds like a case of not understanding the original post.

Cossy

We do try to buy from local butchers, free range and British BUT it is so much expensive. Many people with big families simply just cannot afford to do this, difference between Tesco large chicken and butcher large chicken is about £6 ditto chicken breast, mince etc etc. it’s an expensive business and of course most of would choose to buy the best and British if we did not have to consider our purses

Yes, some individuals have the choice. Others not.

However, I am thinking here more about services, like schools, hospitals, care homes, etc, with tightening budgets and unlikely to source meat from British only sources.

Salmonella can turn into severe infections, like typhoid fever or septicemia- and require antibiotics in severe cases.

As for the bizarre obssession with Switzerland for some on GN, you do realise very little food, especially meat is imported into UK from Switzerland, and that Switzerland is definitely NOT part of EU ;)

We should all be worried that meat, and other goods, are being imported from all over the world, including the EU, with no checks at all. Putting at risk individual lives, but especially the poorer and those in institutions, who are more prone to catching nasty bugs and not have access to good care. Including our children, grand-children and relatives in hospitals and care homes, social care, etc. Yes, mine too.

Germanshepherdsmum

Sounds like a case of not understanding the original post.

For info, it can be very serious, as said above. mainly for those who have other health issues:

What are the complications of salmonella?

While most people don’t have complications of salmonella, you should be on the lookout for signs of more serious illness. Some complications of salmonella include dehydration, bacteremia, osteomyelitis and reactive arthritis.

If you don’t replace the fluids lost through diarrhea or vomiting, you can get dehydrated. Severe dehydration can be life-threatening. Go to the nearest ER if you experience symptoms of severe dehydration, including:

Confusion.

Dark-colored pee (urine) or less pee than usual.
Dizziness, weakness or light-headedness.
Dry mouth or throat.
High heart rate.
Loss of appetite.
Flushed (red) skin.
Muscle cramps.
Chills.
Constipation.

Bacteremia/Sepsis

If salmonella gets into your bloodstream (bacteremia), it can start infecting other organs and tissues. This can cause inflammation of your bones or joints or the lining of your brain, heart or heart valves. Bacteremia can lead to sepsis, a life-threatening condition where your immune system starts attacking your body.

Go to the ER if you have symptoms of sepsis, meningitis, pericarditis or endocarditis.
Salmonella Osteomyelitis

If you’re living with sickle cell disease, you’re at increased risk for a rare Salmonella infection of the bone called osteomyelitis.

Back or bone pain.
Pain that makes it difficult to move.
Parts of your body that are swollen, red or filled with fluid (pus).

Reactive arthritis.

Sometimes your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy parts of your body when it’s trying to fight an illness. Reactive arthritis causes inflammation in your lower back, joints and eyes. Symptoms of reactive arthritis include:

Lower back pain.
Joint pain, stiffness and swelling.
Frequent need to pee.
Burning feeling when you pee.
Conjunctivitis (pink eye).
Diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Mouth sores.
Rash.

Can you die from salmonella?

Yes, you can die from salmonella if it spreads to other areas of your body or causes sepsis.

It's therefore important that the population is made aware of the current risks- especially older ones as many on GN.

Surely good food hygiene and thorough cooking should kill salmonella

Fleurpepper

It's therefore important that the population is made aware of the current risks- especially older ones as many on GN.

Why should older people be less aware?

Fleurpepper

Germanshepherdsmum

Sounds like a case of not understanding the original post.

For info, it can be very serious, as said above. mainly for those who have other health issues:

What are the complications of salmonella?

While most people don’t have complications of salmonella, you should be on the lookout for signs of more serious illness. Some complications of salmonella include dehydration, bacteremia, osteomyelitis and reactive arthritis.

If you don’t replace the fluids lost through diarrhea or vomiting, you can get dehydrated. Severe dehydration can be life-threatening. Go to the nearest ER if you experience symptoms of severe dehydration, including:

Confusion.

Dark-colored pee (urine) or less pee than usual.
Dizziness, weakness or light-headedness.
Dry mouth or throat.
High heart rate.
Loss of appetite.
Flushed (red) skin.
Muscle cramps.
Chills.
Constipation.

Bacteremia/Sepsis

If salmonella gets into your bloodstream (bacteremia), it can start infecting other organs and tissues. This can cause inflammation of your bones or joints or the lining of your brain, heart or heart valves. Bacteremia can lead to sepsis, a life-threatening condition where your immune system starts attacking your body.

Go to the ER if you have symptoms of sepsis, meningitis, pericarditis or endocarditis.
Salmonella Osteomyelitis

If you’re living with sickle cell disease, you’re at increased risk for a rare Salmonella infection of the bone called osteomyelitis.

Back or bone pain.
Pain that makes it difficult to move.
Parts of your body that are swollen, red or filled with fluid (pus).

Reactive arthritis.

Sometimes your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy parts of your body when it’s trying to fight an illness. Reactive arthritis causes inflammation in your lower back, joints and eyes. Symptoms of reactive arthritis include:

Lower back pain.
Joint pain, stiffness and swelling.
Frequent need to pee.
Burning feeling when you pee.
Conjunctivitis (pink eye).
Diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Mouth sores.
Rash.

Can you die from salmonella?

Yes, you can die from salmonella if it spreads to other areas of your body or causes sepsis.

I think you have too much time on your hands.

As you become older your immune system becomes weaker and more vulnerable to bacteria, hopefully you will be more experienced and know the risks.
I travel widely and am very careful about food but I did get caught once eating undercooked eggs, in Swaziland!, I was ill for a day and now avoid eggs on holiday.

On holiday in China I ended up in hospital on a drip after eating something that was contaminated. It was also my 60th birthday 😩
The one food I do avoid abroad is rice. Some people think it can keep being reheated: it can’t. That advice was given by a Dr.

Callistemon21

Fleurpepper

It's therefore important that the population is made aware of the current risks- especially older ones as many on GN.

Why should older people be less aware?

Oh where would we be without such public service information?