Health chiefs issues warning after major Turkey holiday food poisoning case
Holidaymakers travelling to Turkey have received a fresh warning from British health chiefs over a serious outbreak of Salmonella.
Health officials have been scrambling to find a source of the infection after more than 200 people fell ill with food poisoning on "all-inclusive" holidays in the country. Between January 15 and July 19, there were 241 confirmed cases of Salmonella Enteritidis infection, with the majority of them from April onwards.
In a fresh update issued yesterday, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that a source of the infection has still not been found, despite assessing it for months with the authorities in Turkey. The outbreaks were mainly in the Antalya region and were detected in travellers coming back to the UK after holidaying. Out of the 241 cases reported earlier this year of Salmonella food poisoning, 56 per cent were male and the median age of cases was 29 years old.
The agency has also warned people that salmonella infections can be more serious in young children, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals (because of illness, underlying conditions and/or medical treatments). One must also know that mild cases can usually be resolved with self-care at home.
Of the 93 cases for which detailed, confirmed travel information is available, these cases report staying in a number of different hotels in Turkey and most cases report eating a wide variety of different foods within their hotel resort as part of an all-inclusive holiday package.
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In April, the Mirror reported that around 25 tourists had been struck down by a food poisoning outbreak at a five-star resort in Turkey. At least one of the British holidaymakers – on all-inclusive deals with holiday firm TUI – has been hospitalised. Families forked out up to £4,000 for breaks at the Rixos Sungate Hotel in the Mediterranean, which has 13 bars and restaurants including a so-called world food buffet and sushi diner.
Liam Garnett, 37, was placed on a drip after being hit with suspected gastroenteritis while on holiday with his partner Gabrielle, 30, and two kids over Easter. He is now among dozens of holidaymakers taking legal action against holiday firm TUI for the nightmare holiday at the Rixos Sungate hotel.
The UKHSA said that because the source of the infection had not been found, it is issuing advice for people to take care and explained: “While salmonella infections usually resolve with self-care at home, they can be more serious in young children, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals (because of illness, underlying conditions and/or medical treatments).
"As the source of illness has not been identified and investigations are ongoing, ahead of the school summer holidays, UKHSA is reminding people of simple steps they can take to reduce the risk of contracting gastrointestinal infections while travelling abroad including washing hands thoroughly, especially after using the toilet and before preparing or eating food."
UKHSA is liaising with ABTA, Turkish public health authorities and other international public health partners to inform investigations of these clusters.
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