Cook Children’s healthcare facilities across Texas are reporting a significant increase in salmonella cases, though the Texas Department of State Health Services has not officially declared an outbreak. The spike in cases has been particularly noticeable since July 2024, with medical professionals across multiple locations documenting a concerning trend. According to Texas’ leading Salmonella lawyer, who has filed thousands of salmonella claims and Salmonella lawsuits: “We are getting calls on a daily basis, but have yet to finger the source of this particular salmonella outbreak. We suspect that will change very soon and we can get to work for these victims.”
Dr. Stephanie Felton, Associate Medical Director of Cook Children’s Emergency Department in Fort Worth, has reported a dramatic increase in confirmed cases. While the emergency department typically encounters fewer than 20 salmonella cases monthly, July saw 43 positive cases, followed by 59 in August, 71 in September, and 74 in October. In a recent week, the facility recorded an 11 out of 229 positivity rate, translating to 5% of tested patients.
The surge has also been noted at other locations. Pediatricians Dr. Devona Martin and Dr. Jenica Rose-Stine has observed a marked increase in cases at their primary care clinic in Willow Park, Texas. “Over the past few months, we have noticed a big increase in the number of cases of salmonella,” reported Dr. Martin, who also noted that cases typically present with bloody or mucus-containing diarrhea accompanied by fever.
While health officials continue to investigate, no common source for the infections has been identified.
Understanding Salmonella Infections
Salmonella, one of the most common causes of foodborne illness in the United States, is a bacterial infection that causes salmonellosis, a gastrointestinal illness. While often confused with E. coli due to similar symptoms, salmonella infections typically pose less risk of kidney damage compared to E. coli’s potential to cause hemolytic uremic syndrome.
The infection spreads through various channels, including contaminated food products such as poultry, eggs, produce, infant formula, and water. Contact with infected animals, particularly reptiles and birds, can also transmit the bacteria. Person-to-person transmission is possible, though less common than with typical viral stomach bugs.
Symptoms typically appear between eight and 72 hours after exposure and include:
- Diarrhea containing blood or mucus
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
- Fever
Prevention and Treatment Guidelines
Medical experts emphasize several key preventive measures:
- Thorough hand washing, especially before meals and after animal contact
- Proper preparation and cooking of poultry and meat products
- Using only FDA-approved infant formulas
- Maintaining clean counter spaces and sinks
- Thorough cleaning of bottles, pacifiers, and toys
Most cases of salmonella infection resolve with rest and proper hydration, though antibiotics may be prescribed for infants under three months or in cases of moderate to severe illness.
Parents should contact their primary care physician if they suspect their child has salmonella, particularly if symptoms include bloody or mucus-containing diarrhea with fever. However, doctors note that most diarrheal illnesses without these specific symptoms are likely viral rather than bacterial.
Emergency care is recommended if a child shows signs of severe illness, including:
- Signs of dehydration
- Prolonged fevers (100.4°F or higher for five or more days)
- Acute illness symptoms
Commenting on this story, one national salmonella lawyer said: “There have been a number of high-profile outbreaks, like the McDonald’s E. coli onion outbreak and the Boar’s Head Listeria outbreak, with our firm filing food poisoning lawsuits in both. Now we are just waiting of health agencies to trace these salmonella illness to a source so we can file a Texas salmonella lawsuit to get the ball rolling on finding out just how wide-spread it is.”
