Milkborne salmonellosis in Scotland 1980 to 1982

In Scotland between 1980 and 1982 there were 21 episodes of milkborne salmonella affecting a total of 1090 persons (range one to 654). There were eight deaths, including two children, in people associated with these outbreaks. The problem of milkborne salmonellosis continues to be greater in Scotland, where dairy herds on average are larger and a greater proportion of raw milk is consumed, than elsewhere in Britain. It is anticipated that legislation requiring the pasteurisation of virtually all milk sold for human consumption in Scotland by August 1983, will help to correct the situation.