A Perry County Salmonella outbreak of unknown origin has sickened at least 23 people in Missouri since August 6, 2018. Perry County Memorial Hospital issued a news release about this outbreak. Those 23 people went to the hospital through the emergency room inn the last week. The patient age range in this Perry County Salmonella outbreak is from 2 to 68.
Three of the patients were admitted to the hospital. Two of those patients have been released, but one was transferred to a Cape hospital. The Perry County Memorial Hospital lab director reported the outbreak to the local and state health departments, and an investigation has begun. The state lab will receive cultures from infected pageants to start their epidemiological investigation.
No source has been identified, and the outbreak strain of Salmonella bacteria has not been identified. The news release states that Salmonella is very contagious and usually spread through food, although person-to-person transmission can also occur.
You can contact food safety attorney Fred Pritzker for help by calling 1-888-377-8900 if you think you are part of this Perry County Salmonella outbreak.
The symptoms of a Salmonella infection include fever, diarrhea that may be bloody, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms usually start 12 to 72 hours after infection. Anyone who is also experiencing dizziness, weakness, fainting, confusion, and difficulty breathing should go to an emergency room at once.
Most people recover on their own, without medical treatment, after this infection. But some, including the very young, the elderly, people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, and those with suppressed immune systems, may need to be hospitalized.
Anyone can also develop long term health complications after a Salmonella infection. Those complications can include high blood pressure, endocarditis, reactive arthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome. So even if you do recover on your own, this information should be on your medical chart.
