The World Health Organization (WHO) reports on its website that salmonella contamination originating from a chocolate factory in Belgium of the Italian company Ferrero has caused 151 cases of illness in 11 countries. The factory in the city of Arlon, which is responsible for the production of Kinder chocolate, was closed by the Belgian authorities on April 8.
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A study that revealed a link between the bacteria found in the plant and the specific cases of disease, shows that the plant’s products were distributed in at least 113 countries around the world and caused 151 cases of disease in 11 of them. Kinder’s products that have also been distributed in Israel include surprise eggs, mini chocolate eggs, and chocolate bones.
According to the organization, by April 25, 150 cases had been detected in Europe: 65 in Britain, 26 in Belgium, 25 in France, 15 in Ireland, 10 in Germany, 4 in Sweden, 2 in the Netherlands and a single case was also detected in Norway, Spain and Luxembourg. In addition, for the first time, a link was found between a single case of illness in the United States and a product that left the factory in Belgium.
The health organization said it estimated the level of risk for the outbreak to be moderate. He added in a statement that no outbreaks related to the outbreak have been recorded and that salmonella infections are usually mild and do not require treatment. However, the organization notes that hospitalization rates among patients who have symptoms are high (43%) and that children and the elderly are at higher risk for serious complications as a result of dehydration. To date, most cases in the world have been found among children under 10 years of age (89%) and 66% among women and girls. Only in 21 of all cases were symptoms reported, of which 12 of the patients (57%) suffered from bloody diarrhea and nine of them (43%) were hospitalized.
The UKHSA said the bacterium was resistant to six types of antibiotics – penicillin, aminoglycosides (streptomycin, spectomycin, cannamycin and gentamicin), phenolic, sulfonamide, trimethoprim and tetracycline.
The World Health Organization’s announcement comes a day after Strauss’ announcement of a huge recall of Elite candy factory products in the Galilee landscape following the presence of Salmonella – but it is not known if there is a connection between the two.
550 million people worldwide suffer from diarrhea each year as a result of contaminated food, with one in four cases being attributed to salmonella. This is according to WHO data from 2018. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 420 salmonella deaths are linked each year.
In its announcement, the WHO recommends to the public a range of contraceptives, including hand washing with soap and water, particularly after contact with pets or farm animals, as well as after staying in the toilet; Make sure the food is cooked properly; Drinking pasteurized or boiled milk only; Avoid using ice unless it is made from potable water; And thorough rinsing of fruits and vegetables.