Emerging Salmonella Outbreak Investigated In Multiple States
Health officials throughout the country are investigating a new Salmonella outbreak which has potentially sickened dozens nationwide.
According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment ("CDPHE"), the outbreak involves an antibiotic-resistant strain of Salmonella Newport. In Colorado, at least 21 people have been sickened in 10 counties, and four of the victims have been hospitalized. Although no conclusions have been issued regarding the source of the outbreak, preliminary indications suggest that the outbreak could potentially be associated with the consumption of undercooked ground beef. Click on the following link to view a copy of the CDPHE News Release.
According to the CDPHE, eight other states have reported cases that are related to the ongoing outbreak. The USDA, CDC and numerous state health agencies are cooperating in the ongoing investigation.
Although the Colorado news release did not specifically identify the other states involved in the investigation, one of them, reportedly, could be Maine. On July 31st, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention alerted health care providers and lab directors throughout the state to an outbreak of salmonellosis due to "an unusual type of Salmonella." Six cases have been confirmed in three counties. At least two of the isolates recovered from patients in this outbreak are resistant to the antibiotic ampicillin. Click on the following link to view a copy of the Maine News Release.
All of the Colorado and Maine outbreak cases developed in late June and early July.
The CDPHE, of course, is reminding consumers and food handlers to handle ground beef properly to avoid cross contamination, and to cook ground beef thoroughly. The FSIS likewise reminds consumers that thoroughly cooking raw beef products to an internal temperature of 165 degrees will destroy any pathogens that may be present, and will render the products safe.
