More than 50 people have fallen sick over the past few weeks in a region of Italy.
Health officials in the Emilia Romagna region said the Department of Public Health (DSP) received reports of suspected foodborne illness in individuals with gastrointestinal symptoms, that were usually associated with fever. In almost all cases, symptoms stopped within a few days but three people required hospitalization.
The Department of Public Health’s epidemiological investigation revealed that most sick people had eaten at outlets in the province of Reggio Emilia in the days before onset of symptoms. The specific food source is still unknown.
Salmonella positives
DSP conducted environmental and food safety checks at the affected business.
Testing of patient samples has revealed 19 people were infected by Salmonella. Lab results for the other patients as well as food and environmental samples are pending.
Investigations are being carried out with support from the Istituto Zooprofilattico and the regional Epidemiological Surveillance Center for foodborne disease to see if the cases are related to other incidents in Italy or Europe.
More than 100 people fell sick in Italy with Salmonella Strathcona infections between January 2023 and September 2025. Evidence pointed to small tomatoes from Sicily as the source of infection.
In 2024, a Salmonella Umbilo outbreak was traced to contaminated produce from Salerno in Italy. More than 200 people were ill in Germany, Austria, Denmark, Italy, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile.
Anyone who has developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.
Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions. Some people are infected with Salmonella without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.
(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here)
