Investigations of the Salmonella Heidelberg infections continue today according to the CDC, Foster Farms chicken is still likely related.
481 persons have been infected with seven outbreak strains of Salmonella Heidelberg as of February 28, 2014, it has been found in 25 states and Puerto Rico since March 1, 2013. No deaths have been reported, but 38% of those infected had to be hospitalized, with the most reported illneses (76%) seen in California.
In February the number of infections from two of the previously rare outbreak strains exceeded expectations to be reported to PulseNet during this time of year.
Laboratory, epidemiologic, and traceback investigations conducted by local, state, and federal officials point to consumption of Foster Farms brand chicken as the source of the infections of Salmonella Heidelberg.
The outbreak strains are particularly resistant to commonly prescribed antibiotics, despite these types of antibiotics not typically being used to treat Salmonella resistance can increase the risk on hospitalization in those infected.
