A Gainesville, Salmonella outbreak has sickened at least 47 people in Florida, according to news reports. The Department of Health in Alachua County first became aware of this outbreak on November 4, 2019.
The source of the illnesses seems to be box lunches that were prepared by a local religious or cultural community. A specific food has not yet been linked to the illnesses.
The food was apparently prepared at a woman’s house to be delivered to other members of the Vietnamese community over the weekend, according to the Gainesville Sun. One volunteer and member of the Tu Vien A Nan Buddist Temple volunteered this information.
Symptoms of a Salmonella infection include a fever, nausea, stomach and abdominal cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea that may be bloody. If anyone ate box lunches prepared by members of that particular community, and has been experiencing these symptoms should see a doctor.
Most people recover without any medical attention when they contract this illness, but some do become ill enough with dehydration or sepsis that they need to be hospitalized. And there are long term health complications from this infection that include arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, high blood pressure, and endocarditis. People who have a chronic health condition or weakened immune systems, along with the elderly, the very young, and pregnant women, are more likely to be seriously affected by this illness.
Remember that Salmonella food poisoning does not change the way food looks, smells, or taste, and won’t change the appearance or the texture of the food. Symptoms of salmonellosis typically appear within 12 to 72 hours after a person has been exposed to the pathogen, typically thorough food or drink or person to person.
