Federal officials have identified wheat as the source of Salmonella infantis, which has made people sick in 11 states. Three people were hospitalized.
Both the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released outbreak notices confirming that raw flour is the source of the pathogen.
As of the posting of this notice, no specific brand of flour has been confirmed to be a source of Salmonella. However, most patients reported eating raw dough or batter made with flour before they became ill. Investigators are working to identify specific brands of flour associated with the disease, according to the FDA.
The 12 sick people live across the country, suggesting that a nationally distributed product is behind the outbreak. , lives in Ohio, Virginia, and New York.
The illness began on dates ranging from December 6, 2022 to February 13 of this year. Patients ranged in age from He 12 to He 81, with a median age of 64 and 92% female.
The actual number of sick people in this outbreak may be much higher than reported, according to the CDC, and the outbreak may not be limited to states with known illness. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for salmonella. Additionally, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as usual. 3-4 weeks Determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.
“Although flour doesn’t look like raw food, most flour is raw, which means it hasn’t been treated to kill the bacteria that cause food poisoning,” says the CDC.
“Raw (unbaked) flour used to make dough or batter can be contaminated with bacteria such as Salmonella, which is killed when the flour is cooked or baked. Eating or tasting raw dough or batter can make you sick Children can get sick from handling or eating raw dough used for crafts and clay play .”
Using raw flour in batter, such as that used in fried chicken and other fried foods, can contaminate people and the kitchen as well.
About Salmonella Infection
Salmonella-contaminated food usually does not look, smell, or taste bad. Anyone can get a salmonella infection. According to the CDC, infants, children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness due to their fragile immune systems.
Anyone who eats or cooks raw flour and develops symptoms of salmonella infection should seek medical attention. You should tell your doctor about your potential exposure to Symptoms of salmonella infection can resemble other illnesses, which often leads to misdiagnosis.
Symptoms of salmonella infection include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 6 to 72 hours of eating contaminated food. A healthy adult will usually be sick for 4 to 7 days. However, in some cases, the diarrhea is so severe that hospitalization may be required.
People with weakened immune systems, such as the elderly, children, pregnant women, and cancer patients, are more likely to develop serious illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.
Some people become infected without showing illness or symptoms. However, it is possible to spread the infection to others.
