The Salmonella outbreak at the Bean Day fundraiser held at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center in Athens, Alabama has sickened at least 27 people, up from six in the original case count. The event was held on October 4, 2013 by the Limestone County Foundation on Aging.
The Alabama Department of Public Health said white beans were the source of the pathogenic bacteria. News reports state there was Salmonella in the beans, according to Kelly Stevens, director of epidemiology for the Department. Food was collected from the event and tested positive for Salmonella.
Fifty people visited the emergency room after the dinner, and 13 people were admitted. The state is not doing a case count, but is still investigating the outbreak. A final report should be issued within the next six weeks.
The symptoms of a Salmonella infection include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea that may be bloody, fever, chills, headache, and muscle pains. Most people recover within a week, but some become so ill they must be hospitalized.
