Danish authorities are trying to find the cause of a salmonella outbreak that has infected 14 people.
Since mid-November 2025, the State Serum Institute (SSI) has recorded 14 cases of Salmonella Enteritidis.
SSI, Danish Veterinary Medicine, Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Agency and the National Food Research Institute are investigating the outbreak. The Danish Veterinary Food Agency has been merged with the Danish Agency for Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs since January of this year.
The age of affected patients ranges from 2 to 84 years, with an average age of 69 years. There are 4 women and 10 men. Five diseases were reported in 2025 and nine in 2026.
There are seven sick people living in the capital, four in central Jutland and three in southern Denmark.
The SSI is responsible for analyzing isolates from patients and conducting case interviews to determine possible sources of infection.
Whole genome sequence analysis of bacteria isolated from patients shows that they are genetically very closely related and all belong to sequence type 11. This means there is likely a common source of infection.
In 2024, 10 Salmonella outbreaks were reported in Denmark. The number of salmonella infections increased from 1,207 to 1,266 in 2023. Salmonella Enteritidis accounted for the most serotype with 274 patients, 66% of whom were infected overseas.
About salmonella infection
Food contaminated with salmonella typically does not look, smell or taste spoiled. Anyone can get sick from a salmonella infection. Infants, young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for serious illness because their immune systems are weaker.
Anyone who develops symptoms of salmonella infection should seek treatment. Diagnosing salmonellosis requires special testing, so sick people should tell their doctor about possible exposure to salmonella. Salmonella infection symptoms can be similar to other illnesses and often lead to misdiagnosis.
Symptoms of salmonella infection may include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise healthy adults usually become sick for 4 to 7 days. However, in some cases, diarrhea may be so severe that hospitalization may be necessary.
People with weakened immune systems, such as older adults, children, pregnant women, and cancer patients, are more likely to develop serious and sometimes life-threatening conditions. Some people become infected with salmonella without feeling sick or showing any symptoms. However, they can still spread the infection to other people.
