The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed a total of 474 cases across three Salmonella Enteritidis clusters under investigation in England, with two deaths linked to the outbreaks.
The latest update, published on 27 August, said investigations by the UKHSA, Food Standards Agency (FSA) and other public health partners indicate that the outbreaks may be linked to eggs imported into the UK from abroad.
The largest cluster, involving strain t5.9411, has recorded 259 confirmed cases and one death as of 25 August. A further 38 cases and one death have been linked to the t5.9765 cluster, while the t0.24068 cluster has recorded 177 cases, with no deaths reported.
Cases across all three clusters have increased since June 2026. The UKHSA said information gathered from cases, including genetic relatedness between the strains and food histories, suggests the outbreaks could all be associated with imported eggs.
The cases have been associated with eating out, including at small cafés, restaurants and takeaway businesses.
However, the UKHSA stressed that the overall risk to the general public remains low.
Hannah Charles, lead epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said the investigation remained ongoing and that officials would continue to follow up cases and investigate any further potential common sources.
The FSA said there was currently no evidence that UK-produced eggs are affected.
Professor Ian Young, chief scientific adviser at the FSA, said the exact causes of the outbreaks had not yet been identified, but investigations had so far identified links to imported eggs.
The FSA’s advice remains that eggs should be thoroughly cooked and handled hygienically. Infants, young children, pregnant people and older adults should only eat raw or lightly cooked eggs if they carry the British Lion mark or are produced under the Laid in Britain assurance scheme.
The latest cases have sample dates stretching back to August 2025, with the most recent samples collected in August 2026. The UKHSA said updated information on all three outbreaks would be published weekly.
The development comes as UK authorities continue to investigate the potential role of imported eggs in the outbreak, while emphasising that there is currently no evidence linking the clusters to domestically produced eggs.