There is an outbreak of food poisoning in the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe. Notably, almost all cases are linked to the same strain, thus suggesting a common source of infection. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has confirmed 83 cases of Salmonella Stanley ST2045 in the first week of June, and of these, 20 have been hospitalized.The ECDC also states that 26 more cases are not sequenced and may also be linked to the outbreak.As per the health authorities, the cases have been found in nations including the United Kingdom, Austria, Czechia, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, and the Netherlands.The ECDC has said, “collaborating closely with the affected countries and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)”. Gauri Godbole, Deputy Director of Gastrointestinal Infections at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), told journalists, “We are supporting an ongoing investigation into an international Salmonella outbreak, with most reported cases occurring in children and young people."She also added that the current findings are leading the health authorities to the possibility that the source of the outbreak was potentially chicken‑flavoured instant noodles or processed chicken products, or both, as they share ingredients.“Salmonella generally causes a mild illness, although vulnerable groups with weakened immune systems may experience more severe illness.” She added.Though ECDC also states that not all cases can be explained by exposure to these instant noodles. They emphasized ongoing investigations into the cases. They added, “Based on what is currently known, the overall risk of Salmonella Stanley infection is assessed as very low for the general population and low for children and young adults, as long as cooking instructions are adhered to.” What Is Salmonella?As per the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Salmonella is a group of bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness and fever called salmonellosis. It can be spread by food handlers who do not wash their hands and/or the surfaces and tools they use between food preparation steps. It can also happen when people consume uncooked and raw food. Salmonella can also spread from animals to people.The FDA notes that people who have direct contact with certain animals, including poultry and reptiles, can spread the bacteria from the animal to food if hand washing hygiene is not practiced.Pets, too, could spread the bacteria within the home environment if they eat food contaminated with Salmonella.Also Read: Ebola Outbreak Escalates: Uganda Rushes Medics To Congo Border RegionsCommon symptoms of Salmonella include: diarrhea,fever,stomach cramps 6 hours to 6 days after being exposed to the bacteria.The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment, though in some cases it may lead to hospitalization.Children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe illness.