Street Spice salmonella source 'may not be known'

The exact source of an outbreak of salmonella at a Newcastle food festival may never be identified, health officials have said.

More than 380 visitors to the three-day Street Spice event reported symptoms including diarrhoea and abdominal pain.

Salmonella has now been found in 14 samples submitted for testing.

An investigation is being carried out by the Health Protection Agency and environmental health officers from Newcastle Council.

Further tests

The outbreak control team said in a statement: "Although we now know it is highly likely that this outbreak of illness has been caused by salmonella, we do not yet know the source of the infection.

"We are therefore continuing our investigation, but it is possible that the exact source may never be identified.

"The results of further tests are expected towards the end of the week."

An estimated 12,000 people attended the event, which took place in Times Square between 28 February and 2 March.

One of the organisers, Bob Arora, said a full list of precautions had been taken to ensure high levels of hygiene.