At least 10 Maryland residents are among the 100 people who have been sickened by a Salmonella outbreak that has swept through 19 states and the District of Columbia.
All of the confirmed cases in Maryland are in the greater Baltimore area, Albina Chu, a spokeswoman from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, told Food Poisoning Bulletin in an interview today. Chu said the state does not disclose certain information about outbreak case patients such as their gender or county of residence.
A definite source of the outbreak has still not been identified, according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but sushi, sashimi and other raw fish dishes are among potential sources being investigated.
Salmonella is a pathogen which, if ingested, can cause illness ranging from moderate to life-threatening, according to the CDC. Symptoms of Salmonella poisoning include abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea which can sometimes be bloody. Sometimes a fever accompanies other symptoms which usually set in between six and 72 hours after exposure and last four to seven days.
In cases where severe diarrhea causes dehydration, hospitalization is required. An infection that moves into the bloodstream can be fatal if untreated. Health officials urge anyone with these symptoms to see a health care provider.
