1 death related to an ongoing turkey salmonella epidemic

NEW YORK – Federal health officials on Thursday announced the first death of a salmonella outbreak linked to raw turkey.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the death occurred in California, but they had no immediate details. Since last November, the agency reported that 164 people had fallen ill in 35 states, the most recent case being reported on 20 October.

No products were recalled and the agency did not recommend people to avoid turkey. But he said he believes the epidemic is widespread and ongoing and reminded people to cook and handle the turkey properly as Thanksgiving approaches.

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"We still see new diseases reported every week," said Colin Basler, an epidemiologist at the CDC.

Basler noted that there is a gap between when a person falls ill and when the disease is reported to the health authorities. The California Department of Public Health did not immediately respond to an email requesting additional details about the death.

Only one provider has not been identified in the context of the epidemic. The rare salmonella strain has been identified in live turkeys, chopped turkeys, turkey patties and raw pet foods.

Turkey's national federation said in a statement that its members had re-examined their salmonella control programs. A representative from the industry group was not immediately available to provide more details.

To limit exposure, the CDC recommends cooking turkey at an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees, as well as washing hands and pawns that have touched uncooked meat.

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Salmonella can be found in a variety of foods, including packaged foods. This week, Conagra Brands has recalled 2.4 million cans of Duncan Hines cake mix because of a connection with salmonella.

The CDC estimates that salmonella is responsible for about 1.2 million diseases a year. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps and can last up to seven days. Diseases are more likely to be serious in the elderly and infants, according to the CDC.