Salmonella outbreak sickens 32 in Finland

Health officials in Finland are searching for the source of a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened more than 30 people.

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto) are investigating the Salmonella Bovismorbificans outbreak with the help of local environmental health agencies.

During March and April, 32 people have fallen ill in various parts of Finland. Several of them have needed hospital treatment.

The average age of patients is 45 and the range is 17 to 77 years old. In total, 23 patients are women. The infections are estimated to have been acquired domestically.

Fifteen strains have been sequenced and were found to be similar, which points to a common source of infection. Initial information suggests that the infections may have been caused by eating contaminated uncooked sprouts.

THL asked regional agencies to send samples from domestic infections to its laboratory for typing and to begin interviewing ill people to determine possible food sources.

In 2025, 712 Salmonella infections were reported in the country and only four were Salmonella Bovismorbificans.

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.