U.S. Salmonella Outbreak 2013 Hits Florida
UPDATE: USDA: Poultry Plants Linked To Salmonella Outbreak To Stay Open
ATLANTA, Georgia -- The U.S. Center for Disease control is reporting that, as of October 7, 2013, a total of 278 persons infected with seven outbreak strains of Salmonella Heidelberg have been reported from 17 states, including Florida. Officials believe that Foster Farms brand chicken is the likely source of this salmonella outbreak across the U.S.
ATLANTA, Georgia -- The U.S. Center for Disease control is reporting that, as of October 7, 2013, a total of 278 persons infected with seven outbreak strains of Salmonella Heidelberg have been reported from 17 states, including Florida. Officials believe that Foster Farms brand chicken is the likely source of this salmonella outbreak across the U.S.
Salmonella Fingerprints
The CDC is collaborating with public health and agriculture officials in
many states and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and
Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Heidelberg 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.
Florida Cases
After the CDC report, the Florida Department of Health was notified that three additional
cases of salmonellosis in Florida residents are linked to Foster Farms chicken by DNA
fingerprinting, bringing the total to four cases in
Florida. Three cases reside in Miami-Dade
County and the fourth case was reported in Brevard
County.
DOH said in a statement that these results are based on
current information and may be adjusted as new info
rmation becomes available. The
Department is working together with the CDC and USDA in the ongoing investigation.
“Individuals who have eaten the suspect chicken and
experience symptoms like diarrhea, fever,
and abdominal cramps should seek medical attention,
” said Dr. Anna Marie Likos, Division of
Disease Control and Health Protection Director and
State Epidemiologist. “The Department will
continue to monitor the situation and inform the public as new information becomes available.”
DOH advises consumers who believe they have been sickened by eating contaminated chicken
should contact their local health department and provide any available information about
the chicken. Consumers who have purchased any samples from the problematic plant
numbers P6137, P6137A, and P7632 should dispose of
the chicken in order to protect
themselves and their families.
Salmonlla Symptoms
According to the DOH, Salmonellosis is an infection with
Salmonella, a group of bacteria (germs) that can cause illness
in humans. Most persons infected with
Salmonella
develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal
cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection.
Salmonella
infections usually resolve in 5-7 days and
often do not require treatment other than oral fluids. Persons with severe diarrhea may require
rehydration with intravenous fluids. Antibiotics are not usually necessary unless the infection
spreads outside of the intestines.
The DOH has issued the following salmonellosis prevention tips:
•
Cook poultry, meats (including ground meats) and eggs thoroughly. Using a meat
thermometer is the only way to be sure you have cooked meat to a proper temperature.
•
If you are served undercooked meat, poultry or egg
s in a restaurant, don't hesitate to
send it back to the kitchen for further cooking.
•
Wash hands, kitchen work surfaces and utensils wit
h soap and water immediately after
they have been in contact with raw meat or poultry.
•
Use one cutting board for raw animal proteins and
another for other foods to avoid
cross-contamination.
•
Be particularly careful with foods prepared for in
fants, elderly, and immunocompromised.
•
Do not work with raw poultry or meat and handle an
infant (e.g., feed, change diaper) at
the same time.
Salmonella Outbreak Case Count (As of October 7, 2013)
The number of ill persons the CDC identified in each state is: Alaska
(2), Arkansas (1), Arizona (11), California (213), Colorado (4),
Connecticut (1), Florida (1), Hawaii (1), Idaho (2), Michigan (2), North
Carolina (1), Nevada (8), Oregon (8), Texas (5), Utah (2), Washington
(15) and Wisconsin (1).
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