Health inspectors are calling this one of the worst outbreaks in a decade.

The HSE yesterday confirmed that over 50 people have become ill after an outbreak of salmonella at a restaurant in Dublin. However, it is believed now that people had fallen ill from the bug in 17 different locations around north Dublin. The Food Safety Authority closed the kitchen in O’Dwyers pub in Portmarnock last week – the eatery was believed to be where the outbreak originated. “The investigation is focused on this business. A Closure Order was served on the food business on Friday May, 19,” the HSE has said in a statement yesterday. However, while they could not discuss information relating to the patients, they did say that they believed people were exposed to the bug in 17 different areas where food was served. It is now believed that the course of the outbreak may be poultry which was served to dinners at multiple establishments. The HSE has urged anyone with a concerns about food poisoning to contact their GP. "People who think they may be ill as a result of this outbreak may also contact the HSE’s Environmental Health Service or Department of Public Health in Dublin to assist in the investigation of this outbreak."