New salmonella outbreak has sickened 100 people; The investigation into the E. coli outbreak is ongoing

The Federal Health Office is investigating a new outbreak of salmonella disease. So far, the Food and Drug Administration has not identified a source of the pathogen.

The FDA reports that 100 patients have been identified in the outbreak of Salmonella Africana infections. However, the authority has not disclosed where the patients live or how old they are.

Investigations into the outbreak include tracing, but the FDA has not disclosed which food or foods it is tracking.

More news on the outbreak
Ongoing work to identify the source of E. coli O157:H7 contamination of organic walnuts has been expanded.

The FDA is currently conducting on-site inspections and sample analysis, but the agency is not disclosing the exact location of the inspections or sampling.

In its previous update on the walnut outbreak, the FDA reported that all 10 patients interviewed reported eating walnuts, and nearly all reported purchasing organic walnuts from bulk containers at food co-ops or natural food stores.

As of April 30, there were 12 confirmed patients in the outbreak. Seven of the patients were so sick that they had to be hospitalized. E. coli O157:H7 is a particularly dangerous strain of pathogen and often leads to severe illness, some of which can lead to kidney failure or brain damage.

On April 27, Gibson Farms Inc. initiated a voluntary recall and contacted its distribution customers. Distributors and retailers who may have received large quantities of organic walnuts have been issued a recall. The organic walnuts were distributed in natural food stores and co-ops in the following states: Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Consumers who have the recalled walnuts on hand are urged to throw them away. If it is not clear which company distributed the organic walnuts, they should be thrown away. FDA is working to determine which specific stores received the walnuts. Some stores may have repackaged the large walnut halves and pieces in plastic trays or bags.

The recalled walnuts were sold in bulk 25-pound boxes and are identified by lot numbers 3325-043 and 3341-501 with expiration dates of 05/21/25 and 06/07/25, respectively.

About E. coli infections
Anyone who has eaten organic walnuts and developed symptoms of E. coli infection should seek medical attention and tell them about possible exposure to the bacteria. Special tests are needed to diagnose the infections, which can resemble other diseases.

Symptoms of E. coli infection vary from person to person, but commonly include severe stomach cramps and diarrhea that is often bloody. Some patients may also have a fever. Most patients recover within five to seven days. Others may experience severe or life-threatening symptoms and complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

About 5 to 10 percent of those diagnosed with an E. coli infection develop a potentially life-threatening complication of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include fever, abdominal pain, severe fatigue, decreased frequency of urination, small unexplained bruising or bleeding, and pallor.

Many people with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent damage or die. This condition can occur in people of any age, but is most common in children under five because their immune systems are not yet fully developed, in older adults because their immune systems are declining, and in people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients.

People who experience symptoms of HUS should seek emergency medical attention immediately. People with HUS are likely to need hospitalization because the condition can cause other serious and persistent problems such as high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, brain damage and neurological problems.