New York – Over the past three months there has been 388 people in 42 states who have become ill due to salmonella poisoning. The one problem is that it has not been determined what is causing the salmonella outbreak. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has begun to pull other staff from different areas of the center to try and help figure out where this poisoning is originating from.
The outbreak is called salmonella Typhimurium and has been matched by a DNA fingerprint for each case that has been presented. Those who contract the salmonella poisoning usually deal with the symptoms of diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps that can come around anywhere from 12 to 72 hours after being infected. These usually last for 4 to 7 days.
Usually, the disease is dealt with without treatment but those who have severe diarrhea may require hospitalization and it can be deadly to infants, very old people, and people who have weak immune systems. The best way to avoid getting the disease is to fully cook any meat that is eaten, wash your hands frequently, and to stay away from any under cooked or raw meat. Cooking the meat completely kills the bacteria that causes the disease.
Food is usually contaminated with salmonella from the animal feces that comes in contact with it because salmonella lives in animals intestinal tracts. Any foods can become contaminated if they come in contact with animal feces that has the disease but mainly it is beef, poultry, milk and eggs that carry the disease.
Those infected with this outbreak have ranged in age from two months old to 98 years old. About 18 percent of the cases reported have had to be hospitalized. Even though the outbreak started around September 3, 2008, most cases took place between October 1 and December 31 of last year. The CDC is currently working with health officials in the states that have been contaminated so far. So far, California is reporting the highest amount of cases, sitting at 55. Ohio is currently at 53 cases followed by Massachusetts with 39, Minnesota has 30 cases and Michigan is reporting 20. The other 37 states that have reported cases have had from one to 19.
It is important to take the steps necessary to protect yourself and others from contracting this disease. With the potential of death and the extremely painful side effects, it is worth the effort. Again, ensure all meat is thoroughly cooked, was your hands often throughout the day, especially after handling raw meat, and do not eat meat that is either under cooked or raw. These steps will help you to avoid getting the salmonella poisoning and avoiding the horrible pain that goes with it.