A Salmonella outbreak linked to Wonton Foods bean sprouts was the second-largest food poisoning outbreak of the year. The outbreak sickened 111 people in 12 states, 26 percent of those sickened were hospitalized.
The sprouts were sold at stores and served at restaurants primarily on the East Coast. When the outbreak was announced November 21, Wonton Foods agreed to destroy any bean sprouts remaining and close its manufacturing facility for cleaning. On November 24, the firm resumed production and began shipping sprouts again November 29.
Symptom of a Salmonella infection include fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In some cases, the infection can travel to the bloodstream producing more severe illness.
Case patients in this outbreak, who range in age from younger than 1 year to 83 years old, reported illness onset dates ranging from September 30, 2014 to November 22, 2014. The median age is 34, 64 percent of case patients are female.
By state, the case count is as follows: Connecticut 3, Maine 4, Maryland 5, Massachusetts 34, Montana 1, New Hampshire 6, New York, 21, Ohio 3, Pennsylvania 17, Rhode Island 7, Vermont 3, Virginia 1.
Children, older adults, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to food poisoning than others and should avoid eating raw sprouts of any kind. Cooking sprouts thoroughly kills any harmful bacteria.
