A Salmonella outbreak that is unrelated to Foster Farms chicken has sickened at least seven people in California, Food Poisoning Bulletin has learned. Several of those who became ill are residents of Shasta County. It’s possible that one illness in another state is also part of the outbreak.
A spokesperson from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) said state health officials are working together with local jurisdictions on an investigation of an outbreak of Salmonella Lomalinda infections, but would not provide further information saying “CDPH does not comment on ongoing investigations.”
Salmonella infections occur when people eat or drink foods that have microscopic amounts of human or animal fecal matter on them. Symptoms of an infection, which include fever, vomiting and diarrhea, can last up to a week. A small percentage of cases, where the infection moves from the digestive tract to the bloodstream, can be deadly.
About 1.5 million Americans are sickened by Salmonella each year. Of those, about 15,000 are hospitalized and 4,000 die. Salmonella infections, called salmonellosis, can also trigger long-term health conditions such as reactive arthritis which causes painful swelling of the joints, inflammation of the heart, spine, tendons and eye membranes. Anyone experiencing symptoms of a Salmonella infection should see a doctor.
