The Salmonella javiana outbreak at the Chincoteague Chili Chowder Cook Off in Virginia in September 2017 was the third largest food poisoning outbreak this year. That event was held on September 30, 2017 in Chincoteague. At least 180 people from ten states were sickened in that outbreak.
The outbreak was linked to Crab Shack Clam chowder after epidemiological and laboratory investigations. The outbreak strain was identified in lab specimens taken from patient samples. Then, the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services found the same strain of Salmonella in a sample of chowder taken from someone who was served the soup at the event.
Many food vendors were present at this event, which was sponsored by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. It was difficult for public health officials to identify the source of pathogenic bacteria. A survey filled out by about 500 event attendees helped solve this outbreak.
Eighteen of those sickened, or about 10% of the outbreak total, were hospitalized because their illness was so severe. No deaths were reported in this outbreak.
The people sickened lived in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Public health officials did not break the case count down by state. Most of those sickened live in Virginia.
The symptoms of a Salmonella infection include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach and abdominal cramps, and a fever. Most people get sick a few days after exposure to the bacteria. And most people recover without a doctor’s care, although about half of those sickened in this outbreak did visit a doctor because their symptoms were so severe. About 20% of all of the patients went to the emergency room for care.
If you were part of this outbreak, you should see your doctor to get this illness on your medical chart. The long term consequences of a Salmonella infection can be serious, including reactive arthritis, high blood pressure, and irritable bowel syndrome.
