26-state salmonella outbreak linked to raw turkey
Raw turkey products appear to be responsible for salmonella infections that have caused 90 illnesses in 26 states, with 40 people hospitalized. The strain of salmonella causing the illnesses is multidrug-resistant. The exact source of the contamination has not yet been identified and, in fact, those who have become sick have reported eating different types and brands of turkey products purchased from many different locations. Two of the people who became ill lived in a household where raw turkey pet food was fed to pets.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS), and state health officials are investigating the outbreak. The 90 illnesses have occurred in 26 states beginning in November 2017: Alaska, 1; California, 6; Colorado, 3; Florida, 4; Georgia, 2; Hawaii, 1; Iowa, 2; Illinois, 9; Indiana, 3; Kansas, 1; Kentucky, 1; Massachusetts, 1; Michigan, 2; Minnesota, 13; New Jersey, 5; New York, 8; North Carolina, 3; Ohio, 2; Oregon, 1; Pennsylvania, 5; South Carolina, 1; South Dakota, 1; Tennessee, 1; Texas, 8; Virginia, 3; Wisconsin, 3.
Officials investigating the salmonella outbreak are reporting that the outbreak strain has been identified in samples taken from raw turkey pet food, raw turkey products, and live turkeys. The outbreak strain of Salmonella Reading is present in live turkeys and in many types of raw turkey products, indicating it might be widespread in the turkey industry. The strain has been identified in samples taken from raw turkey pet food in Minnesota, from raw turkey products from 19 slaughter and 6 processing establishments, and from live turkeys from several states.
For more information about the multi-drug resistant strain of salmonella and the illnesses caused by raw turkey products, contact the food poisoning lawyers at 1-888-335-4901.
