Salmonella outbreak in 17 states – What you need to know

“Salmonella is first and foremost a bacteria,” Dr Len Horovitz told Healthline.

Horovitz is an internist and pulmonary specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York, and a clinical medical instructor at Weill Cornell Medical College.

Horovitz explained that the strain of salmonella enterica is the “extremely infectious” species of salmonella that most often leads to infection. Symptoms may appear 1 to 2 weeks after eating contaminated food.

“It usually shows up 7 to 14 days after ingesting these bacteria,” Horovitz said. “Often they [the bacteria] will come in the form of contaminated products, meat or poultry, and therefore large populations exposed to it through contamination of a food processing plant or farm – this could affect large numbers of people .

He said symptoms include fever, abdominal pain and usually diarrhea, which can be bloody.

“The only certainty is abdominal pain, fever, with enough diarrhea [that] there is dehydration, ”said Horovitz.

CDC investigation identified Fratelli Beretta brand non-dried prepackaged antipasto plateaus as a source of infection. It has not been determined if this is the only brand involved.

The CDC said this brand is sold nationwide, ships in vacuum-sealed plastic, and may include uncured salami, prosciutto, coppa or soppressata with “best buy” dates at most. late February 11, 2022.

The CDC pointed out that the actual number of people sick during outbreaks is likely much higher than reported, and outbreaks may not be limited to states with known illnesses. Many people recover without medical attention and are not tested for salmonella.

CDC recommended not to eat these products and throw them away, even if some of the meat has been eaten and no one has become ill. They also advise throwing out any prepackaged Italian-style meats you have at home if you can’t identify the brand.

They also recommend washing items, containers and surfaces that may have touched these products using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.

“Most healthy people recover within days without specific treatment,” said Robin Berlin, registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).

Yet although salmonella infection is not generally life threatening, she warned that “in some people – especially infants and young children, the elderly, transplant recipients, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, “the development of complications can be dangerous. .

According to Berlin, the disease is usually treated by replacing lost fluids and electrolytes and using anti-diarrheal drugs like Imodium to help relieve cramps and diarrhea.

“If salmonella bacteria have entered your bloodstream, an antibiotic may be prescribed,” she added.

The CDC recommends that you call your healthcare professional if you have severe symptoms of salmonella, including:

• diarrhea and fever over 102 ° F
• diarrhea for more than 3 days that does not improve
• bloody diarrhea
• So much vomiting that you can’t hold back fluids

“The contamination is usually with feces,” Horovitz said. “From infected people or animals that picked it up – so this is fecal contamination of products and meats.”

According to Horovitz, this is why we are seeing signs in bathrooms stating that employees should wash their hands before returning to work. He warned that some people could even become carriers of salmonella – which pass it on to others without showing any symptoms themselves.

“You’ve heard of typhoid Mary, who was a cook who spread typhoid,” he said. “Some people can carry Salmonella after the infection is over, or they can carry it and spread it, even if they no longer have symptoms. This is what happened with Typhoid Mary.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a food safety alert for an untreated tray of Fratelli Beretta brand antipasto. The CDC recommends that people throw away packages of unsalted meats with “best buy” dates on or before February 11, 2022.

The CDC has identified 17 states where the contaminated meats were sold.

Experts say that while the disease is usually mild and usually treated by replacing lost fluids and electrolytes and using anti-diarrhea medications, young children and the elderly are at increased risk for severe symptoms.