This outbreak of salmonella in products in Turkey would have honestly not come at a worse time

If you imagine the most idyllic Thanksgiving feast, you probably imagine a huge table filled with plates of creamy mashed potatoes, delicious green beans and many sweet pies. But the vacation star is usually a crispy turkey and roast, right? Well, if bird sculpture is a tradition in your family, be very careful this year, as there is currently a salmonella outbreak in turkey products, according to NBC News. The situation as a whole is a bit of a mess considering the timing, but fortunately there are precautions you can take so that the turkey can always be the star of your Thanksgiving spread.

"As of 5 November 2018, 164 people infected with the epidemic strain of Salmonella Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported being read in 35 states. According to its epidemic survey bulletin, the health agency has not yet found a single provider responsible for the spread, and since the strain of salmonella. has been detected in live turkeys and in raw turkey meat, the CDC suspects the occurrence of the outbreak in the turkey industry in general. Awesome.

The CDC explained that 47% of people with this outbreak had to be hospitalized and that only one death related to the outbreak was reported.

Although you do not have to panic and eliminate the turkey from your Thanksgiving range, it's clear that getting salmonella can have serious consequences, so it's worth it to pay close attention to how you handle the meat. before cooking holidays.

For example, you might think that cleaning your raw turkey is a good way to clean it and avoid salmonella, but according to the USDA Food Inspection and Safety Department, this could in reality more problems, such as "bacteria in raw meat and poultry juices can be transmitted to other foods, utensils and surfaces" this way. Overall, the less you handle raw meat with your bare hands, the better, according to the CDC. The health agency recommends carefully washing your hands and all the utensils you use to handle raw meat as you prepare to cook it.

Plus, as is the case for most types of meat, the more carefully cooked your turkey is, the more bacteria you kill, and the more healthy the meat will be to eat. Use a meat thermometer to make sure your bird reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, says the CDC (and the same thing for your leftovers, says the health agency).

If the possibility of a salmonella infection still worries you, you may be reassured to know what are the signs to watch for. According to the FDA, diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps are three of the main symptoms of salmonella. These signs "usually start between 12 hours and 3 days after a person has accidentally eaten Salmonella"says the agency, and" most people get better in 4 to 7 days without needing to see a doctor. "

Oh, and one more thing – if you have an animal that likes raw turkey, you should also be wary of it because some meat-containing animal foods contain salmonella, according to the CDC's investigation. notice of the outbreak. So for now, you may want to switch to dry foods or some other type of meat. It should also be noted that the CDC, in general, does not recommend feeding your pets with a raw diet.

Conclusion: with a little extra caution, you should be ready to treat yourself to a perfectly gilded turkey on November 22nd. really Worried, you might even try to fry the bird for extra crunch and guaranteed bacteria elimination.