The United States is experiencing several major salmonella outbreaks connected to food and pets, with hundreds of people getting sick in dozens of states and one death reported. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that salmonella causes about 1.35 million infections every year, resulting in approximately 420 deaths.

Outbreaks and Sources

One ongoing outbreak involves eggs produced in Texas and sold in bulk and in grocery stores, including Kroger and Brookshire Grocery stores. Midwest Poultry Services has recalled over 1.5 million dozen containers of shell eggs due to possible contamination. Another outbreak involves recalled jalapeño peppers grown in Mexico and distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors.

Additionally, there are several outbreaks tied to animals, including eight multistate outbreaks linked to contact with backyard chickens and ducks, as well as a smaller outbreak tied to children handling pet veiled chameleons. The CDC reports that 98 cases with 26 hospitalizations have been linked to the egg outbreak in 17 states, while 345 cases of salmonella have been linked to jalapeño peppers in 27 states, with 36 known hospitalizations.

Symptoms and Prevention

Salmonella symptoms typically start six hours to six days after exposure and can include stomach cramps, fever, nausea or vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. To prevent salmonella, it is essential to practice good hygiene, such as washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food and pets. It is also crucial to clean counters, cutting boards, and utensils, particularly after touching raw meat or eggs, and to cook food thoroughly to an internal temperature of at least 165°F for poultry and 160°F for ground meats or egg dishes.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.