Salmonella

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Salmonella outbreak sickens 388 across U.S.: CDC

Wed Jan 7, 2009 2:54pm EST Email | Print | Share| Reprints | Single

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An outbreak of salmonella food poisoning has

made 388 people sick across 42 states, sending 18 percent of them to

the hospital, U.S. health officials said on Wednesday.

 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is trying to trace

the source of the outbreak, which began in September. The Department

of Agriculture, state health officials and the Food and Drug

Administration are also involved.

 

The CDC said poultry, cheese and eggs are the most common source of

this particular strain, known as Salmonella typhimurium.

 

" It is often difficult to identify sources of foodborne outbreaks.

People may not remember the foods they recently ate and may not be

aware of all of the ingredients in food. That's what makes these types

of investigations very difficult, " said CDC spokesman David Daigle.

 

Daigle did not specify how many people were hospitalized, but the

percentage he gave puts that figure at about 70.

 

" Because foods of animal origin may be contaminated with Salmonella,

people should not eat raw or undercooked eggs, poultry, or meat.

Persons also should not consume raw or unpasteurized milk or other

dairy products. Produce should be thoroughly washed, " he said.

 

Only Ohio state health officials have agreed to have their state named

as one of those affected, with an estimated 50 cases.

 

" Will we ever get to the point that we realize that we will be more secure when

the rest of the world isn't living in poverty just so we can have nice running

shoes? "