A shocking new map has revealed the strong North-South divide in instances of food poisoning as cases skyrocket this year.
The UK Health Security Agency is on high alert as GPs across the nation report a surge in potential food poisoning cases, with a staggering 5,329 warnings flagged up to December 3 this year.
This marks a significant increase from the 4,381 alerts during the same period last year and 4,251 in 2022, although this could be attributed to changes in data processing by the UKHSA rather than an actual spike in incidents.
These reports serve as a crucial early warning system, enabling health officials to monitor and respond swiftly to any emerging outbreaks of illnesses linked to contaminated food or water.
Food poisoning can result from various factors, including inadequate food hygiene, undercooked meals, contact with sick individuals, improper handwashing, or consuming products past their “use by” date.
The latest figures show a stark North-South divide, with every one of the top 20 council areas for food poisoning cases located in the North, and the top three hotspots situated in the North East.
Northumberland GPs have reported the highest number of potential food poisoning cases in England and Wales, with a staggering 303 diagnoses.
This is closely followed by Newcastle-upon-Tyne and North Tyneside, both recording 220 cases, and North Yorkshire with 167.
Outside of the North, Birmingham leads the Midlands with 55 cases, while Portsmouth and Neath Port Talbot top the charts in the South and Wales respectively, with 39 and 41 cases.
In terms of regions, the North East has been hit hardest this year, reporting 1,205 cases. This is closely followed by Yorkshire and Humber with 1,158 cases, and the North West with 802.
In stark contrast, the South West has seen the fewest cases, with just 140.
When considering population size, North Tyneside emerges as the most likely place for food poisoning to occur. For every 100,000 residents in North Tyneside, there were 104 suspected cases of food poisoning, marking the highest rate in the country.
This is followed by Northumberland with 93 per 100,000 people, Newcastle with 70, and North Lincolnshire with 57. This equates to one in every 963 people in North Tyneside contracting food poisoning.
While infections are typically mild, they can cause symptoms such as diarrhoea (possibly bloody), abdominal pain, fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting, which usually last between three to six days.
Food poisoning symptoms typically manifest within one to two days of consuming tainted food, however, in certain instances, they can appear within hours or even weeks later.
