HEALTH chiefs are advising people who bought meat from a community butchers’ shop to throw it out after a salmonella outbreak.

Customers of Chapman and Sons butchers in Blackhall Colliery, County Durham, are being advised not to eat any cold pre-cooked meats and savouries bought on or before February 19.

The precautionary advice has been issued as an investigation begins into the possible source of an outbreak of salmonella infection affecting people in the area.

Public Health England North East’s health protection team is working closely with the environmental health and public health teams from Durham County Council after an increase in reports of salmonella infection in the area.

So far, eight confirmed and two suspected cases of salmonella have been reported in the last two weeks in adults living in the Horden, Blackhall Colliery and Hesleden areas.

Two people are currently receiving treatment in hospital.

Consultant in health protection and chairperson of the outbreak control team, Dr Deb Wilson, said: “The source of this outbreak is not yet known.

“However, several of the affected people are known to have eaten cooked meat products and savouries from Chapman and Sons butchers in Blackhall Colliery.

“Although our investigation is at a very early stage, as a precautionary measure we are advising anyone who has bought cooked meats or savouries from Chapman and Sons butchers on or before February 19, and still has them in their fridge or freezer, not to eat them and to throw them out immediately.”

Salmonella bacteria can cause food poisoning and symptoms include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, and sometimes vomiting and fever.

Dr Wilson said: “The owners and staff of Chapman and Sons butchers are co-operating fully with the investigation and have agreed to discard ready to eat foods from their premises while the investigation continues.

“The business has also agreed to carry out a deep clean of their premises, and reinforce good hygiene practices.

“Anyone who has eaten cooked meats and savouries and currently has diarrhoea should contact their GP in the usual way.”

Chapman and Sons declined to comment.