Most of those who fell ill had eaten takeaway food
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At least 80 people have now been struck down by a salmonella bug in the Grimsby and Cleethorpes area.
Environmental health officials in North East Lincolnshire had said they thought the outbreak had been contained but cases have continued to rise.
Investigations are centred on takeaway restaurants in the area and health experts have been drafted in to help with case analysis.
A council spokesman said it was unusual to have so many widespread cases.
Common link
Steve Mercer, environmental health divisional manager, said he did not know if there would be any more cases.
"We are going round all the places which have been mentioned to us to see if there is a common link and see if a particular type of food is involved."
The relatively rare Salmonella Newport strain is involved in the outbreak and Mr Mercer said a few other cases had been reported from around the country as well as Grimsby and Cleethorpes.
He added the rarity of the strain may make it easier to find the cause. There are normally only about 150 cases of the strain reported throughout the UK every year.
"To have 80 widespread salmonella cases of any type is quite rare. The last time it happened in this area was 1996.
"It is more common to have a high number of victims if there has been a wedding or a social gathering but not when people are spread around the area," he said.
Symptoms of salmonella food poisoning include stomach pains, diarrhoea and vomiting - usually up to 72 hours after eating affected food.
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To have 80 widespread salmonella causes of any type is quite rare. The last time it happened in this area was 1996.
