Alert for onions contaminated with salmonella (2021) 0:53
(CNN) --
Here's some background information on salmonella, a disease that affects millions of people each year, can be deadly, and is most often caused by eating contaminated food.
Data
Salmonellosis, the infection caused by bacteria of the genus
Salmonella
, is one of the most frequently reported foodborne illnesses in the United States.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports on salmonella outbreak investigations.
General information:
(Source: CDC)
There are an estimated 1.35 million cases of salmonella in the United States each year.
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About 420 people die each year in the United States from salmonella.
Salmonella lives in the intestinal tract of animals, including birds, and people.
People often become infected by eating food contaminated with animal feces.
Salmonella-contaminated foods are usually of animal origin, such as beef, poultry, milk, or eggs, but any food can become contaminated.
It rarely affects the taste, smell, or appearance of food.
Ferrero recalls some Kinder chocolates from the United States due to suspicions of salmonella
The
Salmonella
family includes more than 2,500 serotypes of bacteria.
Salmonella typhimurium
and
Salmonella enteritidis
are the
most common in the United States, accounting for half of human infections.
S. typhimurium
is most often found in foods of animal origin.
S. enteritidis
is primarily associated with poultry and eggs.
Recently, a specific type of
Salmonella typhimurium
, DT104, has emerged that is resistant to many antibiotics.
Salmonella typhimurium
DT104
can be found in a wide range of foods.
Salmonella was discovered by the American veterinarian Daniel Elmer Salmon.
Symptoms and treatment
Typical symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.
Symptoms usually begin between six hours and four days after infection.
Infections usually resolve within three to seven days, and mild cases do not usually require professional treatment.
Antibiotics are only used to treat severe cases.
Salmonella infections can be life-threatening to young children, pregnant women and their fetuses, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.
Salmonella infection can pass from the intestine into the bloodstream and cause death if not treated in time.
A small number of people infected with salmonella develop reactive arthritis, which causes painful urination, joint pain, and eye irritation.
This condition can last for months or years and can lead to chronic arthritis.
Alert for onions contaminated with salmonella 0:53
Prevention
Avoid cross contamination of food.
Keep uncooked meats separate from other foods.
People infected with salmonella should not prepare food for others.
Proper food storage and handling help prevent salmonella growth, and thorough cooking kills the bacteria.
Raw or undercooked meat, eggs, and raw or unpasteurized dairy products should not be consumed.
Products must be thoroughly washed.
Wash your hands with soap after changing diapers or going to the bathroom.
Wash your hands after handling pets.
Reptiles are especially likely to carry salmonella, as it can contaminate their skin.
Salmonella is also often found in the intestines of chicks and young birds.
Salmonella infections in 8 US states could be linked to wild songbirds, CDC warns
Timeline of recent cases in the United States
Mushrooms in 2020
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 55 people have been sickened in 12 different states following an outbreak of salmonella that has been linked to wood ear mushrooms.
Of the 55 infected, six hospitalizations were recorded.
The cases began between January 21 and September 19.
The mushrooms, distributed by Wismettac Asian Foods Inc. in Sante Fe Springs, California, were only sold to restaurants and not directly to consumers.
Peaches in 2020
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Announces Peaches Recall Expanded to Include Bulk Peaches and Peach Products After 101 People Sickened in 17 States from Salmonella Poisoning related to this fruit.
Of the 101 reported cases of illness, 28 victims were hospitalized.
The illnesses occurred between June 29 and August 27.
The CDC says health officials indicated the salmonella likely came from peaches packed or supplied by Prima Wawona or Wawona Packing Company.
Onions in 2020
Multi-state outbreak of salmonella Newport associated with onions, likely from Thomson International Inc. in Bakersfield, California.
On August 1, Thomson International recalled all varieties of onions, including red, white, yellow and sweet, from the market.
As of August 6, 2020, a total of 640 infections, including 85 hospitalizations, were reported from 43 states.
Poultry in 2020
Multistate Salmonella Hadar Outbreak Associated with Poultry, including Companion Poultry such as Baby Chicks and Ducklings.
As of July 28, 2020, a total of 938 people in 48 states have been infected, with 151 hospitalizations and one death.
Pre-cut melon in 2019
Multistate Salmonella Carrau Outbreak Linked to Pre-Cut Watermelon, Honeydew, Cantaloupe, and Pre-Cut Fruit Mix Products from Caito Foods LLC in Illinois.
A total of 137 people in 10 states were infected, with 38 hospitalizations.
Mexican soft cheese and minced meat in 2018
Multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Newport from ground beef from a slaughter and processing plant in Texas and soft cheese from Mexico.
A total of 255 infections, including 60 hospitalizations and two deaths, were reported from 32 states.
Live poultry in 2016
Eight multistate outbreaks linked to human contact with live poultry in backyard flocks and hatcheries.
A total of 895 people in 48 states were infected, with 209 hospitalizations and three deaths.
Of those sick, 28% were children five years old or younger.
Cucumbers in 2015
Multistate Salmonella Poona Outbreak Linked to Cucumbers Imported from Mexico and Distributed by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce.
A total of 907 people in 40 states were infected, with 204 hospitalizations and six deaths.
September 4, 2015 - CDC announces that it is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Poona linked to cucumbers imported from Mexico and distributed by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce.
Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce voluntarily recalled cucumbers sold under the "Limited Edition" label from August 1, 2015 through September 3, 2015.
Foster Farms brand chicken in 2013
Multistate Salmonella Heidelberg Outbreak Linked to Foster Farms Brand Chicken.
A total of 634 people in 29 states and Puerto Rico were infected.
5.1 million pounds of beef recalled for possible salmonella 0:38
Live poultry in 2013
Multistate Outbreak of
Salmonella Typhimurium
Infections Linked to Contact with Live Poultry Purchased from Feed Stores and Mail-Order Breeders.
A total of 356 people in 39 states were infected, with 62 hospitalizations.
Peanut butter in 2012
Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella
Bredeney
Infections Linked to Peanut Butter Made by Sunland Inc. The FDA temporarily closed the plant where the peanut butter was made, but later signed a consent decree allowing the facility to reopen after adopting measures to strengthen food security.
As part of the settlement, Sunland must allow the FDA to inspect the facility to ensure compliance with the consent decree.
A total of 42 people in 20 states were infected, with 10 hospitalizations.
Scraped raw tuna product in 2012
Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Nchanga and Salmonella
Bareilly
Infections Associated with a Raw Scraped Tuna Product from Moon Marine USA Corporation.
A total of 425 people were infected in 28 states, with 55 hospitalizations.
Turkish pine nuts in 2011
Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella
Enteritidis
Infections Associated with Turkish Pine Nuts Purchased from Wegmans Supermarket Bulk Containers.
A total of 43 people were infected in five states.
2011 minced turkey
Multistate Salmonella Heidelberg Outbreak Linked to Cargill Meat Solutions' Ground Turkey.
A total of 136 people were infected in 34 states, with 37 hospitalizations and one death.
Eggs in 2010
Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella
Enteritidis
Infections Linked to Eggs from Wright County Eggs and Hillandale Farms.
A high number of cases of Salmonella
Enteritidis
prompted the CDC to investigate.
The government traced the illnesses to two egg companies in Iowa and estimated that 1,939 illnesses were associated with the outbreak.
Two executives from Quality Eggs, a company linked to Wright County Eggs and Hillandale Farms, have pleaded guilty to introducing contaminated food into interstate commerce.
They were sentenced to three months in prison.
Quality Egg also agreed to pay a $6.79 million fine for the outbreak.
Peanut butter in 2008
Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella
Typhimurium
Infections Associated with King Nut Peanut Butter, Manufactured by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA).
Two PCA executives were convicted of conspiracy to defraud customers by shipping salmonella-laced peanut products.
Stewart Parnell was sentenced to 28 years in prison, while his brother, Michael Parnell, received a 20-year sentence.
A total of 714 people were infected in 46 states, with nine deaths.
Peanut butter in 2006
Multistate Tennessee salmonella outbreak associated with Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter manufactured at a ConAgra facility.
ConAgra was charged with felony introduction of contaminated food into interstate commerce.
The company entered into a plea agreement to pay an $8 million fine and forfeit $3.2 million in assets.
A total of 628 people were infected in 47 states.
Salmonella food