Eleven countries, mostly in Europe, have now reported cases of salmonella food poisoning, linked to popular “Kinder” chocolate products made in Belgium, particularly affecting children under 10, the World Health Organization said. health.
The World Health Organization said on Wednesday that more than 150 suspected cases of salmonellosis have been identified – from Belgium to the United States – following British regulatory authorities reported a cluster of cases of Salmonella (S.) Typhimurium he a month ago, resulting in a global recall. Children under the age of 10 have been the most affected – they represent around 89% of cases – and available data indicate that nine patients have been hospitalized. There were no deaths. “The risk of spread in the WHO European region and globally is considered moderate until information becomes available on the full product recall,” the UN agency said in a statement.
Genetic sequencing of the salmonella bacteria that triggered the food alert showed the pathogen originated in Belgium.
At least 113 countries in Europe and around the world received Kinder products during the risk period, the WHO said, adding that salmonella bacteria matching current human infection cases were found last December and January, in tanks of buttermilk from a factory run by chocolate makers Ferrero, in the Belgian town of Arlon.
According to media reports, the plant was temporarily closed earlier this month.
In a statement, the WHO said the salmonella strain involved is resistant to six types of antibiotics.
The WHO press release indicates that as of April 25, “a total of 151 genetically related cases of S. Typhimurium suspected of being linked to the consumption of the chocolate products involved have been reported in 11 countries”: Belgium (26), France (25), Germany (10), Ireland (15), Luxembourg (1 case), Netherlands (2), Norway (1 case), Spain (1 case), Sweden (4), United Kingdom (65 ) and United States of America (1 case).
