Denmark: Three die of salmonella poisoning from herbal remedy - BBC News

Three people have died in what Danish health authorities say is a large outbreak of salmonella that has left 33 people ill.

All those affected ate Husk brand psyllium husk capsules from batches recalled by manufacturer Orkla Care.

Authorities found traces of salmonella in the products at patients' homes.

Luise Müller of Denmark's Statens Serum Institut said it was the first time the agency had found a herbal medicine to be the cause of a salmonella outbreak.

However, as a precaution he said "we have decided right now to recall all Husk products because of the outbreak in Denmark, and also for the Swedish and Norwegian and Finnish market".

Although the main focus of the Danish health investigation had been Husk capsules, Mr Mageli said the recall also applied to Husk powder.

Many of those affected by the outbreak became ill in March and the health agency first alerted the public to the outbreak on 9 April.

The three who died are thought to have been ill already but the health agency is unable to give details of their ages.

Mr Mageli said Orkla products had been on the Danish market for 35 years and had never had any cases of salmonella.