SA Health is urging foodservice businesses not to serve raw bean sprouts following a significant increase in the number of Salmonella Saintpaul cases.
While South Australia typically sees around 15 to 20 cases of Salmonella Saintpaul each year, over the past 11 days there have been 108 cases reported, and 233 since the start of December. A total of 43 people have been hospitalised.
Investigations by SA Health, together with local councils and food suppliers, suspect that raw bean sprouts may be responsible for the outbreak.
Professor Paddy Phillips, chief public health officer, SA Health, said “We are today advising South Australians to cook all bean sprouts and avoid eating raw bean sprouts.
“We also want to alert food retailers such as restaurants and cafes not to serve raw bean sprouts until further notice.
“We are working closely with the producers, suppliers and handlers of the sprouts and are continuing to investigate.”
Symptoms of Salmonella Saintpaul include fever, diarrhea, loss of appetite, headache, stomach cramps and nausea and vomiting.
