Seven people have fallen sick across Norway as part of a Salmonella outbreak.

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) said the source of infection in the Salmonella Napoli outbreak is unknown.

People became ill from the end of August until late September this year. Patients range in age from 6 to 66, while four are women and three are men.

Two sick people live in Vestfold og Telemark, while Viken, Oslo, Rogaland, Agder, and Innlandet all have one case each.

Searching for the vehicle of infection

Bacteria detected in sick people are genetically similar, indicating a common infection source. Sick people or their relatives are being interviewed to find the outbreak’s source. Patients live in several regions, so a widely distributed food product is suspected.

The outbreak is being investigated by FHI, municipal chief medical officers, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet), and the Veterinary Institute.

If a common source of infection from food, animals or the environment stands out, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority will conduct traceback work along the supply chain.

Salmonella Napoli is a rare type of Salmonella in Europe. In Norway, it has previously been detected, but only as sporadic cases. A total of 712 cases of salmonellosis were reported in Norway in 2022, and Salmonella caused five outbreaks. 

Norwegian officials are also investigating a severe E. coli outbreak linked to burgers and ground (minced) meat products.

FHI reported that E. coli O26:H11 had been detected in 20 people. Eleven of those infected are children under 13, and seven have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS is a severe complication associated with E. coli infections that causes kidney failure. Patients fell ill from July to September and ranged in age from 1 to 55.