Key Summary
- Campylobacter cases have increased by 17.1 per cent from 60,055 in 2023 to 70,352 in 2024
- Salmonella infections also rose 17.1 per cent with 10,388 cases in 2024, up from 8,872 cases in 2023
- They are caused by eating contaminated food and unpasteurised milk products
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has urged people to maintain good hygiene as Campylobacter and Salmonella infections have reached decadal highs.
The latest UKHSA annual data shows a significant rise in Campylobacter and Salmonella infections in England compared to the previous year.
Campylobacter cases increased by 17.1 per cent from 60,055 in 2023 to 70,352 in 2024, reaching 121.9 reports per 100,000 population.
This represents the highest number of cases recorded in the past decade.
Similarly, Salmonella infections reached a decade-high, with a 17.1 per cent increase from 2023, rising from 8,872 cases in 2023 to 10,388 cases in 2024.
Children under 10 years old were particularly affected, accounting for 21.5 per cent of cases.
Campylobacter and Salmonella infections are usually caught by eating contaminated food, including poultry, meat, eggs, raw fruit or vegetables, and unpasteurised milk products.
Infection may also occur through close contact with infected people, particularly in households, and by cross-contamination in the kitchen, for example, when utensils are used for cooked and uncooked foods.
UKHSA and Food Standards Agency (FSA) experts are investigating further with partner agencies to understand the reasons behind this increase in Salmonella and Campylobacter cases.
Meanwhile, cases of the parasite Cryptosporidium decreased by 16.4 per cent compared to 2023, with 5,708 cases reported in 2024.
However, this was the second-highest number of cases reported in the past decade.
The 2023 data for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) shows a slight decrease of 2.2 per cent compared to 2022 overall.
All these gastrointestinal diseases have similar symptoms, including diarrhoea (sometimes bloody), stomach pains and cramps, vomiting and mild fever.
Whilst most people recover within one to two weeks of infection, young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems face higher risks of developing serious illness or complications.
Dr Gauri Godbole, Deputy Director, Gastrointestinal infections at UKHSA, said that washing hands thoroughly with soap and water, particularly after using the toilet or handling raw meat, before meals and after contact with animals or farms can prevent infections.
"Anyone experiencing diarrhoea or vomiting should avoid handling or preparing food for others. Do not return to work, and children should not attend school or nursery, until at least 48 hours after symptoms have subsided," she said.
