The raw turkey Salmonella Reading outbreak has grown to include 279 sick people, according to an update by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Of those patients, 107 people have been hospitalized, and one person who lived in California has died.
That’s an addition of 63 more people from 24 states and the District of Columbia. Illness onset dates range form November 20, 2017 to January 29, 2019. The patient age range is from less than 1 year to 101. Forty-eight percent of patients have been hospitalized.
The case count by state is: Alabama (4), Alaska (2), Arizona (4), Arkansas (1), California (26), Colorado (6), Connecticut (4), Delaware (1), District of Columbia (4), Florida (12), Georgia (2), Hawaii (2), Idaho (4), Iowa (4), Illinois (23), Indiana (7), Kansas (1), Kentucky (1), Maryland (7), Massachusetts (7), Michigan (9), Minnesota (20), Missouri (4), Nebraska (1), Nevada (1), New Jersey (11), New Mexico (2), New York (20), North Carolina (9), North Dakota (2), Ohio (8), Oklahoma (6), Oregon (2), Pennsylvania (13), South Carolina (2), South Dakota (3), Tennessee (2), Texas (22), Utah (1), Virginia (11), Washington (2), and Wisconsin (7).
The pathogen in this outbreak is resistant to multiple drugs. That may explain why such a high percentage of patients have been hospitalized. In a typical Salmonella outbreak, about 20% are hospitalized.
All evidence indicates that raw turkey products from several sources are contaminated with the outbreak strain and are making people sick. Ill persons report that they ate different types and brands of turkey products purchased from many different locations. Four of the patients lived in households where raw turkey pet food was fed to pets.
You can contact food safety attorney Fred Pritzker for help by calling 1-888-377-8900 or 612-338-0202.
The outbreak strain of Salmonella Reading has been found in samples from raw turkey pet food, raw turkey products, and live turkeys. Products that have been recalled include Woody’s Pet Food Deli Raw Free Range Turkey sold in Minnesota, raw ground turkey products by Jennie-O Turkey Store of Faribault, Minnesota, and raw ground turkey products produced by Jennie-O Turkey Store of Barron, Wisconsin. In addition, Raws for Paws of Minneapolis recalled some of its Ground Turkey Pet food.
And the outbreak notice contains, again, advice to consumers on how to handle raw turkey. Treat this product carefully. Wash your hands well after you handle raw turkey. Clean any surface or utensils that has come into contact with raw turkey with soap and water. Cook turkey thoroughly, to 165°F, to kill any bacteria. And avoid cross-contamination with raw poultry and products that are eaten uncooked.
The symptoms of a Salmonella infection include fever, nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea that may be bloody. If you have been sick with these symptoms, see your doctor.
