Three Children in Latvia Diagnosed with Salmonellosis After Consuming Dry Reeva Noodles

According to SPKC, three cases of salmonellosis were recorded in Latvia in April and May of this year, involving children who had consumed Reeva instant noodles in dry, unheated form. All three affected children are of primary school age, and the cases were reported in Ventspils, Liepaja, and Kuldiga.

The National Microbiology Reference Laboratory of Riga East University Hospital confirmed that the infections were caused by Salmonella Stanley bacteria, part of an international outbreak. SPKC epidemiologists, after re-interviewing the patients, found that all children had eaten the noodles dry rather than preparing them with boiling water as per manufacturer instructions. No cases involved noodles prepared correctly.

SPKC notified the Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) about each case, which then conducted laboratory tests on product samples. To date, no Salmonella has been found in any Reeva noodle samples. SPKC notes that the overall risk of infection is low, considering the small number of cases.

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, similar Salmonella Stanley cases have been reported in Denmark, the UK, Germany, Lithuania, Austria, Estonia, Czech Republic, Romania, and Poland. In most cases, the noodles were consumed dry. To reduce risk, SPKC advises against eating instant noodles without proper heat treatment.