Finnish health authorities are searching for the cause of a salmonella outbreak that has infected more than 30 people.
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and the Finnish Food Agency (Ruokavirasto) are investigating the Salmonella Bovismorbificans outbreak with the help of local environmental health agencies.
During March and April, 32 people fell ill in different parts of Finland. Some of them required hospital treatment.
The average age of patients is 45 years, and the range is 17 to 77 years. A total of 23 patients are female. The infected person is believed to have originated domestically.
Fifteen strains were sequenced and found to be similar, indicating a common source of infection. Initial information suggests that the infection may have been caused by consuming contaminated raw bean sprouts.
THL has asked local authorities to send samples of domestic infections to laboratories for input and begin interviewing sick people to determine possible food sources.
In 2025, 712 cases of Salmonella infections were reported in the country, with only 4 cases of Salmonella Bovismorbificans.
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 doctors 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.
