Health chiefs have sounded the alarm over an outbreak of potentially deadly salmonella.

Five people have been hospitalised and at least 20 sickened, including 13 young children, with a rare type of the diarrhoea-causing bug. 

The cases were not confined to a specific area of the UK, instead reported across the country, according to UK health and safety watchdogs. 

Yet officials are still scrambling to determine the source of the outbreak. 

Previously the strain, known as salmonella saintpaul, was linked to an outbreak in 2023 involving imported cantaloupe melons which affected more than 90 people. 

But there is no evidence, to date, that cantaloupe is the source of the current outbreak, officials said.  

Salmonella is a group of bacteria that infects the gut of farm animals—and typically affects meat, eggs and poultry. 

The nasty bug usually also causes sickness and a fever that clears up in days. However, it can be fatal. 

 On average, it takes from 12 to 72 hours for the symptoms to develop after swallowing an infectious dose of salmonella. 

If people become seriously ill, they may need hospital care because the dehydration caused by the illness can be life-threatening. 

Of the 25 cases, all sickened between February 20 and March 4, six were logged in the North West of England, four in the West Midlands, three in the South West and two in the East of England.

The East Midlands, the North East, London, and the South East all recorded a case each. 

Two cases were also each been confirmed in Northern Ireland and Wales respectively, as well as one in Scotland. 

Patients struck down with the illness were aged 5 on average but ranged from 1 to 88. Sixteen were female and nine are male. 

Gauri Godbole, deputy director of gastrointestinal infections at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said: 'UKHSA is investigating a small outbreak of Salmonella and no cases have been identified since March 2025. 

'Gastrointestinal bacteria, such as Salmonella, can be spread from person to person as well as from food, so anyone with diarrhea or vomiting should wash their hands thoroughly after using the bathroom and avoid handling food or preparing food for others where possible. 

'Please avoid returning to work or sending unwell children to school or nursery until at least 48 hours after symptoms have cleared.'