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 estimates that salmonella causes about 1.35 million infections every year, with about 420 deaths.

Outbreaks Linked to Food and Pets

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

There are also several outbreaks tied to animals: 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 eggs were sold under several brand names, including Simple Truth, Brookshire’s, Country Morning, Kroger, and Cal-Maine, with “sell by” or “best used by” dates between July 20 and August 17.

Symptoms and Prevention

Salmonella symptoms typically start six hours to six days after someone comes into contact with the bacteria through contaminated food or drink, or by interacting with an animal or surface that is contaminated. People tend to get sicker faster with exposure to greater amounts of the bacteria. To avoid salmonella, it is essential to clean your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food and pets, and to cook food thoroughly.

Doctors can diagnose salmonella by doing lab tests on a stool sample. The CDC recommends that children under age 5 not have contact with chameleons, and that backyard poultry and chameleon supplies and habitats be kept clean. People who get salmonella typically develop stomach cramps, fever, nausea or vomiting, and may have bloody diarrhea.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.