Salmonella outbreak report says bacteria was new type

The bug, which was traced to the former Lau's Buffet King, in Durham, in May last year, left 13 people needing hospital treatment.

Yesterday, Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust looked into the food poisoning incident, which was not revealed to the public at the time.

The board, which met at Durham University's Science Park, heard that the salmonella bug that infected people was the Phage Type 56 strain.

The first time it was identified was in the autumn of 2002, after it was identified in people who had returned from abroad.

Since the Durham outbreak, there has been one other outbreak reported in England.

Dr Deborah Wilson, a consultant in communicable disease control for County Durham and Tees Valley, said: "It is the first reported outbreak in the world, but I would not like to say there have not been other outbreaks.

"Not all countries have the same system as we have - being able to type salmonella to this type of detail."

Dr Wilson said the reason the outbreak was so widespread was because of the volume of meals the restaurant provided -up to 80 dishes in one sitting.

She also said people could have been exposed to the bug for up to 18 days.

Scientists were unable to pinpoint the cause of the outbreak, but it was thought to be from food contamination, most likely poultry or eggs.

An inspection of the premises revealed that food safety regulations had been contravened and there was no routine recording of temperatures of food waiting in the buffet.

After taking legal advice, Durham City Council decided against prosecuting Lau's Buffet King.

The restaurant has now changed hands and operates under a new name.

The incident was dealt with by the Outbreak Control Team, made up of council and health employees.

Dr Wilson said they decided not to inform the public or confirm the name of the restaurant to the Press because it would jeopardise the co-operation of the restaurant.