A devastating salmonella outbreak has struck the West Country in the United Kingdom, leaving 17 people dead and over 200 hospitalised. The outbreak, which is believed to have originated from contaminated chicken products, has been reported in several counties across the region, including Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall.
According to officials, the outbreak began in early July, with the first cases reported on 15.07.2026. Since then, the number of reported cases has been steadily increasing, with a peak of 53 cases reported on 20.07.2026. The source of the outbreak has been linked to a local chicken processing plant, which has since been shut down for investigation and cleaning.
Health officials have advised residents in the affected areas to exercise extreme caution when handling and consuming chicken products, and have urged anyone who has purchased chicken from the affected plant to return it to the store for a full refund. The UK government has also pledged to increase funding for food safety initiatives in the region, in an effort to prevent similar outbreaks in the future.