The outbreak of Salmonella at the Sandy Plains Baptist Church in Shelby, North Carolina has grown to include 54 people. As of Wednesday, September 18, nine cases have been confirmed by laboratory tests, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services; that number is now eleven, according to other news reports. Five people have been hospitalized in this outbreak, and all but one have been released.
As many as 5,000 people attended the barbecue. Investigators have not determined the source of the bacteria. Foods that are most likely to contain Salmonella include undercooked chicken, raw or undercooked eggs, raw milk, contaminated water, and other improperly cooked meats.
The symptoms of a Salmonella infection include vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea that may be bloody, muscle pain, headache, chills, and fever. Symptoms usually begin six to seventy-two hours after exposure, and the illness can last from two to seven days. While most people recover on their own, some, including those in high risk groups, require hospitalization. Some people can have lifelong aftereffects of this infection, including reactive arthritis and heart problems.
If you or anyone you know attended the event and have been sick, consult your healthcare provider and inform her that you were exposed at the barbecue. Your doctor should inform public health authorities about your illness.
