Health

Massive Salmonella Outbreak Spans 42 US States

by Terri Potratz | January 7, 2009 at 04:30 pm

1301 views | 21 Recommendations | 8 comments

A salmonella bacteria outbreak has sickened 388 people across 42 US states over the last 3 months, and health authorities have been yet unable to determine the cause or source of the food poisoning.

The outbreak has affected people in 42 states, said David Daigle, a spokesman for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, in a telephone interview today. The agency is working with state health authorities, the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to identify the source and track the outbreak.

Salmonella causes diarrhea, cramps, fever and vomiting within 72 hours of infection. Some cases are so severe that they require hospitalization, and can be life-threatening to those with weakened immune systems.

In this particular outbreak, the CDC suspects that it stems from a singular source, as the salmonella bacteria in every single reported case shares an identical DNA fingerprint. Investigators are still scrambling to determine the source of this large outbreak, but due to the geographical range it likely spread from a widely distributed food item.

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Geneva B

at 16:42 on January 7th, 2009

This makes me consider becoming vegetarian again...

MichaelKeefe

at 08:00 on January 8th, 2009

Being a vegetarian will make no difference. Unless you mean becoming a vegetarian and not consuming the bacteria?

I can only assume that's not what you meant, lol!

vanna (not verified)

at 18:20 on January 7th, 2009

ahhh.. brings back memories of my honeymoon. salmonella. on a cruiseship. not fun, not fun.

dragonfiregrill

at 20:47 on January 7th, 2009

being vegen, or vegetarian will not help remember the spinach incident just a few months ago?

cindy shingler (not verified)

at 07:29 on January 8th, 2009

Vegan diet may not help because it has been found in the tomatoes, peppers etc. I wonder if it could be caused by some contamination of the pesticides, herbacides, preservatives, colorings, antibiotics, soil, animal feed ect. This sounds far fetched but I feel these things should be researched for many other reasons also because in doing this we may be able to solve and prevent many problems concerning health and nutrition. Although I have acheived a B.S degree in Nutrition years ago I am baffled with the continually changing research and knowledge that is being given and question much of it. Pain problems I have been dealing with for years seem to subside when cutting certain foods from my diet and adding quality vitamin, mineral, and other needed supplements I am unable to get from it. The key or secret believed by me is moderation, variety and most of all balance. I find most of the time health problems are never caused by one thing but often many and we need to be our own advocate for our health because our doctors don't always remember our health problems because they are so overwhelmed patients many times.

AJSmooth

at 08:39 on January 8th, 2009

Just another reason why producing locally is much more safer and profitable for any community.

Geneva B

at 12:42 on January 8th, 2009

Yes, good point, I thought about the whole vegetable-contamination thing and becoming vegetarian doesn't mean you can avoid salmonella. I guess we're all up the creek...