07/08/12: Salmonella Outbreak Affects 40 People

A total of 40 people have been infected in the outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis reported from eight states in the US according to the Centre for Disease Control.

Among 40 persons for whom information is available, illness onset dates range from June 6, 2012 to July 9, 2012.

Ill persons range in age from three years to 101 years, with a median age of 50 years; 53% are female. Among 33 persons with available information, 11 (33 per cent) reported being hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

The number of ill persons identified in each state is one comes from Maine, three from Massachusetts, two from New Hampshire, 18 from New York, two from Rhode Island, 11 from Vermont, two from Virginia, and one from West Virginia.

Eleven ill persons have received hospital treatment, and no deaths have been reported.

Collaborative investigation efforts of state, local, and federal public health and regulatory agencies showed that ground beef produced by Cargill Meat Solutions at a single production facility has been the likely source of this outbreak.

On 22 July, Cargill Meat Solutions recalled 29,339 pounds of fresh ground beef products.

At the time of the recall, John Keating, Cargill Beef president said: “Food borne illnesses are unfortunate and we are sorry for anyone who became sick from eating ground beef we may have produced.

“Ensuring our beef products are safe is our highest priority and an investigation is underway to determine the source of Salmonella in the animals we purchased for harvest and any actions necessary to prevent this from recurring.”

Results of antibiotic susceptibility testing indicate that this strain of Salmonella is susceptible to commonly prescribed antibiotics. The CDC said that illnesses that occurred after July 10, 2012 might not yet be reported due to the time it takes between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported.

Related article:

24/07/12: 29,339 pounds of ground beef recalled on salmonella fears