Federal officials investigating new outbreak of Salmonella infections

Federal officials are investigating a new outbreak of Salmonella infections, but the source of the pathogen is unknown.

The Food and Drug Administration reports that 47 people are confirmed sick with Salmonella Typhimurium infections. The agency has not reported where the patients live.

Traceback, on-site inspection, and sampling have not yet begun for the new outbreak.

In other outbreak news, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has declared that an outbreak linked to fresh, organic basil is over.

The FDA first posted the outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections on April 10. 36 people across 14 states were confirmed as patients in the outbreak. Four of the 27 patients with information available had to be hospitalized.

Patients became ill between Feb. 11 through May 26.

The number of people sickened in the outbreak is likely much higher than those confirmed as patients because many people do not seek medical attention when they have symptoms. The CDC estimates that for every confirmed patient in a Salmonella outbreak, 29 others go unreported, partly because the symptoms mimic other infections.

Concerning the outbreak, two recalls were initiated: Infinite Herbs-brand organic basil packed in 2.5-oz clamshell packaging (UPC 8 18042 02147 7) and sold at Trader Joe’s and Fruit Center Marketplace stores from Feb. 1 through April 6; and Melissa’s brand fresh organic basil in 2.0-oz (UPC 0 45255 14142 9) and 4.0-oz clamshell packages (UPC 0 45255 14439 0) available for sale at Dierberg’s stores in Illinois and Missouri from Feb. 10 through Feb. 20.

Even though illnesses continued to be documented through May 26, no other recalls were initiated.

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