FDA finds 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 traceback has begun. The FDA has not reported what food or foods are being traced.

As of July 10, there were 26 confirmed patients in the outbreak. The FDA has not revealed the patients’ ages or locations.  

There are likely many more patients in the outbreak because of underreporting. This is because many people do not seek medical attention or are not treated explicitly for Salmonella. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that for every confirmed patient in a Salmonella outbreak, 29 patients go unreported.

In other outbreak news
Salmonella Typhimurium infections have grown from 80 to 83 patients in the past week. Investigations are ongoing, and the FDA has begun traceback efforts. The agency has not yet reported what food or foods are being traced.

The FDA has not reported the ages of the patients or where they live.

About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. However, anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. According to the CDC, infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile.

Anyone who has developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.

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

Older adults, 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 any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infection to others.

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