There have been two outbreaks of salmonella in at least 17 states of the US. The officials from the US Department of Agriculture’s Food and Safety and Inspection Service, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Public health regulatory officials from multiple states are looking into two salmonella outbreaks. They have said that these outbreaks might be linked to Italian-style meats. The CDC has issued a warning stating that two outbreaks of salmonella have led to 36 cases and 12 people have been admitted to the hospital. People who have been reported to be sick have said that they have consumed salami, prosciutto, and other meats that are usually found in antipasto or charcuterie collections before falling ill. Health experts are at present trying to pinpoint particular contaminated products and find out whether these two outbreaks of salmonella have been linked to the same source of food. Health experts have said that until experts find out which Italian-style meat might be the reason behind people falling ill, people should heat all Italian-style meats to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit before eating. The CDC has said that heating food to a sufficiently high temperature can eliminate germs such as salmonella.
Health experts have said that nearly 23 people from 14 states such as Washington, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, Wisconsin, Illinois, California, Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, and Utah have been infected in the first outbreak of salmonella. People who have fallen ill with salmonella infection have been in the age group of 4 to 91 years along with an average age of 44 years. Out of the available data of 21 people, nearly nine people have been admitted to the hospital. Health experts have said that around 67 percent of sick people have been men. People have started falling ill with salmonella infection from May to July 2021. The second outbreak has infected around 13 people belonging from seven different states such as New York, Oregon, Arizona, Texas, Washington, Minnesota, and California. With an average age of 41 years, infected people have been in the age range of 1 to 74 years. Around 31 percent of people who have been infected in the second outbreak of salmonella have been men. Out of the available data of 19 infected people, nearly three of them have been admitted to the hospital. The second outbreak of salmonella has started from May 2019 to June 2021.
Health experts from the CDC have said that the number of people who have been affected by the outbreaks might be much higher than what is being reported by the officials. They have said that the outbreaks might not be restricted to states that have been identified with confirmed cases of salmonella infection as many people are not tested for salmonella and recover from the disease without any treatment. Health experts have claimed that it takes three to four weeks to find out if an infected person has been a part of an outbreak. In both outbreaks, nobody has lost their lives so far. Health experts have said that people who are in the age range of 65 and above are at a higher risk of salmonella disease. People who are on medications for some core health issues that can limit the body’s ability to fight against foreign invaders as well are at a greater risk of salmonella disease. They have claimed toddlers who are below 5 years of age are at a higher risk of being diagnosed with severe salmonella infection. If people are dealing with diarrhea, bloody diarrhea that continues for more than three days, if they are not able to keep liquid in their stomach and keep vomiting, if they are feeling signs of dehydration such as dry mouth and throat, and dizziness and if the fever goes higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit, they should directly get in touch with their health care providers. Health experts have said that most people who have been infected with salmonella deal with stomach cramps, fever, and diarrhea. Experts have claimed that people start showing up symptoms from six hours to six days after being exposed to the bacteria. The majority of people recover on their own without any care after four to seven days.
