Spain hit by poisoning outbreak as 162 fall ill

More than 160 festival-goers have been struck down with illness after attending a music and food event in Spain. A total of 162 individuals have contracted Salmonella, believed to be from food consumed at the Trasan Fest held on June 27 and 28 in Oza Cesuras (A Coruña), with 22 requiring hospital treatment.

The outbreak triggered ahealth warning from the General Directorate of Public Healthof the Sergas (Galician Health Service). Preliminary investigations are pointing towards a food stall selling tortillas, a traditional Spanish dish made with eggs and potatoes, as the potential source of the infection.

Health officials are now conducting epidemiological surveys among those affected to pinpoint the exact origin of the outbreak.

In an official statement, the festival organisers expressed their deep regret over the incident. "We are collaborating with the authorities to locate the source of the incident, likely linked to a raw material supplied by one of our suppliers," they stated.

Consumer group FACUA Galicia is urging the Galician Ministry of Health to carry out inspections of all establishments, food trucks, or mobile food vendors at venues hosting music festivals or other cultural events, in a bid to prevent such food poisoning incidents in the future.

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FACUA has also advised that those affected by the Salmonella outbreakare entitled to claim compensation for the days during which their health was compromised. Evidence of the type of injury sustained, supported by the appropriate medical report, is required. It would also be beneficial to have proof of consumption of the suspected food.

In 2023, Salmonella was the most commonly identified cause of outbreaks, with 350 instances. This also led to the highest number of patients associated with an outbreak at 2,747, along with 356 hospitalisations and four fatalities.

The largest Salmonella outbreak impacted 159 individuals. A number of these outbreaks were linked to the consumption of eggs and egg products.