Salmonella Cases in England Hit Decade High, Health Officials Urge Good Food Hygiene

Data published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows consistently high levels of Salmonella and Campylobacter cases in England. "Salmonella cases increased slightly from 10,389 in 2024 to 10,406 in 2025, the highest figure in a decade, but remain broadly comparable to the previous year. Campylobacter cases in 2025 remained high and comparable to 2024, although they fell slightly from 70,392 in 2024 to 69,394 in 2025," the UKHSA website stated.The public is being asked to take precautions against these bacteria, which are among the most common causes of food poisoning. Those who need to take extra precautions include people with weakened immune systems, young children and older adults.Campylobacter and Salmonella infections are usually

contracted by eating contaminated food, including poultry, meat, eggs, raw fruit or vegetables, and unpasteurised milk products. "Infection can also spread through close contact with an infected person, particularly in household settings, or through cross-contamination in the kitchen when the same utensils are used for both raw and cooked food, for example," the UKHSA website states.Listeriosis, a potentially fatal foodborne infection caused by eating food contaminated with high levels of the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, remained broadly comparable with previous years. England and Wales reported 181 cases in 2025, compared with 179 in 2024.Read More: India’s Silent Oral Cancer Crisis: How Gutkha Is Destroying Young Lives Faster Than EverAccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), "Unlike many other common foodborne disease-causing bacteria, L. monocytogenes can survive and multiply at low temperatures usually found in refrigerators." It also states that foods most often associated with listeriosis include:"foods with a long shelf life under refrigeration (L. monocytogenes can grow to significant numbers in food at refrigeration temperatures when given sufficient time); and foods that are consumed without further treatment, such as cooking, which would otherwise kill L. monocytogenes."The number of Cryptosporidium cases in England fell from 5,703 in 2024 to 4,149 in 2025, a drop of 1,554 cases (27.2%). Cryptosporidiosis is an infection caused by the protozoan Cryptosporidium, transmitted via the fecal-oral route. UKHSA also stated that the latest figures show the number of outbreaks associated with farm settings and lamb contact events remains high, with 18 outbreaks reported in 2025.These gastrointestinal infections can cause similar symptoms, including diarrhoea (sometimes bloody), stomach cramps, vomiting and a mild fever. While most people recover within one to two weeks, those with weakened immune systems, older adults and young children are at a higher risk of developing serious illness or complications.Dr Gauri Godbole, Deputy Director for Gastrointestinal Infections at UKHSA, said: "These infections spread in many ways, through contaminated food or water, contact with an infected person, or contact with infected animals or their environment. Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water, particularly after using the toilet, handling raw meat, eating, and contact with animals or farms, can help prevent infection. Anyone experiencing diarrhoea or vomiting should avoid handling or preparing food for others, should not return to work, and children should not attend school or nursery until at least 48 hours after symptoms have cleared."Practising good food hygiene helps protect against food poisoning.