FDA discovers new salmonella outbreak; investigation has not yet found source

The Food and Drug Administration is investigating a new outbreak of infections caused by Salmonella.

The agency has not yet determined the source of the Salmonella Irumu, but tracing has begun. The FDA has not disclosed which food or foods are being traced.

As of July 10, 26 cases of the outbreak had been confirmed. The FDA has not disclosed the ages or locations of the patients.

Due to underreporting, the outbreak is likely to affect many more patients. This is because many people do not seek medical care or are not explicitly treated for Salmonella. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that for every confirmed patient in a Salmonella outbreak, there are 29 patients who go unreported.

More news about the outbreak
The number of Salmonella Typhimurium infections has increased from 80 to 83 patients in the past week. The investigation is ongoing and the FDA has begun tracing. The agency has not yet announced which food or foods are being traced.

The FDA did not disclose the age or location of the patients.

About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria usually doesn’t look, smell, or taste spoiled. However, anyone can get sick from a Salmonella infection. According to the CDC, infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe illness because their immune systems are vulnerable.

Anyone who develops symptoms of a salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick individuals should inform their doctor of possible contact with salmonella bacteria, as special tests are required to diagnose salmonellosis. The symptoms of a salmonella infection can resemble other diseases, which often leads to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection may include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours of eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea can be so severe that patients need to be hospitalized.

Older people, children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.

Some people become infected without showing symptoms. However, they can still transmit the infection to others.

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