Five people have been hospitalised due to Salmonella in Ireland in recent days due to an outbreak of the infection from several Kinder products - all of which have been recalled.
Since Friday, there have been a total of 15 cases nationwide, with FSAI officials warning people not to consume any of the affected products.
The ECDC warned on Tuesday that the majority of infections are occurring in children under the age of 10, with some having to be hospitalised.
In a statement explaining the cause of the outbreak, an ECDC spokesperson said: “The processing step involving buttermilk was identified as the possible contamination point, and hygiene measures were implemented.
“The recalls and withdrawals launched worldwide will reduce the risk of further infections.
“However, because molecular typing is not routinely performed in all countries, cases may go undetected.”
The latest update published by the FSAI on Wednesday included the third recall in recent days, on additional batches of Kinder Surprise 20g and Kinder Surprise 20g x 3 products.
Other items also being recalled are certain batches of Kinder Mini Eggs, Kinder Egg Hunt Kit, Kinder Surprise and Kinder Schokobons.
Parents are warned to look out for the most common symptoms of Salmonella if their child has consumed any of the lengthy lists of kinder chocolate being taken off the shelves.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the incubation period ranges from several hours to two days, and the most notable signs include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Blood in the stool
Signs and symptoms of salmonella infection generally last between two to seven days, however, experts say Diarrhea can last up to 10 days.
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