Mar 9, 2009 (CIDRAP News) – The scope of a Salmonella outbreak that started in Nebraska with sprouts as the possible source has expanded to about 50 cases in five states, as federal and state officials await the results of laboratory tests that could confirm the link to sprouts.
The rare Salmonella SaintPaul subtype is the same as in last year's outbreak that involved jalapeno and Serrano peppers, but the genetic fingerprint is different, Nebraska health officials have said.
An epidemiological investigation has linked the Nebraska illnesses to sprouts. On Mar 3, SunSprout Enterprises, Inc, based in Omaha, voluntarily recalled its alfalfa, onion, and gourmet sprouts with "best if sold by" dates from Mar 2 to 14. The sprouts were mainly sold to food distributors who sent the products to restaurants and retail stores. The alfalfa sprouts were also packaged in 2.5- and 5-pound bulk cases for restaurants.
So far, the company and Nebraska state officials have no laboratory evidence of sprout contamination. "SunSprouts is working closely with the FDA [Food and Drug Administration] and with public health authorities to get to the bottom of this situation," the company said in its recall notice.
Michael Herndon, an FDA spokesman, told CIDRAP News that the ongoing investigation hasn't yet detected a Salmonella source. "Several samples were collected during the inspection, but it will be a few days for us to receive results," he said.
About 50 cases from Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and South Dakota have been linked to the outbreak, according to a recent press release from the South Dakota Department of Health.
Lola Russell, a spokeswoman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) told CIDRAP News that the CDC is consulting on the outbreak but that the states are leading the investigation. She said the Minnesota Department of Health laboratory is analyzing samples from the Nebraska patients to determine if they share the same genetic fingerprint.
South Dakota said it had identified 5 cases from five of its southeastern counties and that more cases were pending. Iowa's Department of Public Health (IDPH) said in a Mar 6 statement that it had confirmed 18 cases, along with 2 probable ones. On the same day, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) said it had identified 5 cases linked to the outbreak, along with 1 other pending case.
The hallmarks of salmonellosis are diarrhea, fever, and cramps that start between 12 and 72 hours after infection, with symptoms that last from 4 to 7 days, according to the CDC. Most people recover without treatment, but severe cases can occur in infants, the elderly, and people with weakened immunity.
See also:
Mar 5 SDDH press release
Mar 6 IDPH press release
Mar 6 KDHE press release
Mar 3 FDA recall notice
