CDC Seeking Source Of Salmonella Outbreak In 42 States

Atlanta, GA (AHN) - The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working to identify the source of salmonella outbreaks in 42 states that has sickened 388 people since September.

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a Democrat from Connecticut and chair of the Agriculture-Food and Drug Administration appropriations subcommittee, said Thursday the delay in knowing the source of the outbreak is threatening to infect more people with food poisoning.

So far, the CDC has identified the salmonella strain called Typhimurium as the bacteria that sent 69 of 388 infected people to hospitals. CDC officials and state public health workers are still tracking down and interviewing infected people to find a common cause of the outbreaks.

The said salmonella strain found in tomatoes caused diarrhea and fever in 183 people in 21 states in 2006. No one died from that outbreak. Other strains of salmonella blamed on previous outbreaks were traced to contaminated eggs, meat, poultry, vegetables, pet food and even peanut butter.

Symptoms of salmonella poisoning, including stomach cramps, lasts for one week but the infection can be treated by antibiotics.