Mysterious Salmonella Outbreak Tied to More Than 400 Cases in 35 States

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Salmonella Outbreak Overview: 

• Who: The Centers of Disease Control (CDC) is investigating an outbreak of salmonella that has been linked to more than 400 cases.
• What: Although the agency is unsure of what is causing the outbreak, it believes it is linked to a cilantro and lime condiment found in restaurants.
• Where: The outbreak is affecting 35 states, with the most cases being in Texas.

A mysterious salmonella outbreak has seen at least 400 people fall ill across 35 states in the US, but no source has been identified.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it was investigating the outbreak and although it hadn’t yet identified a food linked to illness, it believed it could be linked to a cilantro and lime condiment found in restaurants.

“State and local officials have collected food items from some of the restaurants where sick people ate. The outbreak strain of Salmonella Oranienburg was found in a sample taken from a takeout condiment cup containing cilantro and lime,” the agency said.

“The sick person reported that the condiment container also contained onions, but none were left in the cup when it was tested.”

Because a number of food items were in the container and in the sample that was tested, it wasn’t possible to know which food item was contaminated.

“We are using this information in conjunction with other available information to help narrow the list of possible foods linked to illness,” the agency said.

There have been no deaths linked to the outbreak, but more than 60 people have been hospitalized, according to a recent CDC report.

Ongoing Salmonella Outbreak Monitored by Health Agency

Recent illnesses might not have been reported yet, as it usually takes three to four weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak. The true number of sick people in an outbreak is also likely much higher than the number reported because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for the bacterial infection, the CDC said.

Symptoms of salmonella include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Symptoms usually start six hours to six days after swallowing the bacteria, and most people recover without treatment after four to seven days.

Some people – especially children younger than 5 years, adults 65 years and older, and people with weakened immune systems – may experience more severe illnesses that require medical treatment or hospitalization.

The CDC urged anyone experiencing diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F; diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving; bloody diarrhea; so much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down; and severe dehydration to call their healthcare provider immediately.

Top Class Actions will continue to monitor this ongoing salmonella outbreak to help keep consumers informed. 

Food products are often subject to recall due to fears of salmonella contamination. In August, Avanti Frozen Foods had to expand a shrimp recall after consumers reported salmonella-related illnesses after consuming frozen cooked, peeled, and deveined, tail-on shrimp products distributed by Avanti Frozen Foods.  

Have you ever been infected with salmonella? Tell us if you recovered with or without antibiotics in the comments section below!

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