WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control is collaborating with public health officials in many states and
the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service
(USDA-FSIS) to investigate a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Heidelberg infections.
The CDC says that consumption of chicken is the most likely source
of this outbreak of Salmonella Heidelberg infections.
Approximately
81% of ill persons interviewed report consuming chicken in the week
before becoming ill. Investigations are ongoing to determine the
specific type and source of chicken that might be linked with illness.
Since June 4, 2012, a total of 124 individuals infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella
Heidelberg have been reported from 12 states. Most of the ill persons
have been reported from two states, Washington (56) and Oregon (38). Washington and Oregon have identified Foster Farms brand chicken as the
most likely source of the infections in their states.
It is unknown whether Florida is one of the states involved in the outbreak because the CDC is not releasing the names of the other states until it
is determined how these illnesses are linked to this outbreak.
Among 124 persons for whom information is available, illness onset
dates range from June 4, 2012, to January 6, 2013. Ill persons range in
age from less than 1 year to 94 years, with a median age of 23 years.
Fifty-five percent of ill persons are female. Among 97 persons with
available information, 31 (32%) reported being hospitalized. No deaths
have been reported. Ill persons continue to be reported at lower levels
in the most recent months, which may represent a “winter lull” in Salmonella infections.
Public health investigators are using DNA "fingerprints" of Salmonella
bacteria obtained through diagnostic testing with pulsed-field gel
electrophoresis, or PFGE, to identify cases of illness that may be part
of this outbreak. They are using data from PulseNet,
the national subtyping network made up of state and local public
health laboratories and federal food regulatory laboratories that
performs molecular surveillance of foodborne infections.
