An additional 40 patients were identified as part of a Salmonella outbreak linked to pork products.
As of February 15, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 87 cases in 30 states. 18 patients were hospitalized due to Salmonella enterica I 4:I:- infection. The illness began on November 20, 2023. Patients’ ages range from her less than 1 year to her 92 years.
The actual number of people sickened by this outbreak may be higher than previously reported because many people do not seek medical care, and those who do are often not tested for Salmonella infection. It is thought that there are far more. The CDC estimates that for every diagnosed Salmonella infection, there are 29 unidentified cases.
Epidemiological and laboratory data indicate that Fratelli Beretta meat products are making people sick in this outbreak.Fratelli Beretta is I remembered Many brands of meat products, including coppa. Of the 46 patients interviewed, 78% reported eating a variety of meats.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture recovered one unopened twin-pack package of Busseto Brand Charcuterie Sampler from the sick person’s home. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) showed that Salmonella bacteria in meat samplers were closely related to bacteria from sick people. This suggests that people got sick from eating charcuterie samplers.
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has recalled Coppa products from Fratelli Beretta after testing positive for Salmonella. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a different strain of Salmonella than those found in people affected by the outbreak or in the appetizers collected by the Minnesota Department of Health.
Whole-genome sequencing of bacteria from 87 human samples and one food sample predicted resistance to three or more antibiotics: ampicillin, kanamycin, streptomycin, and sulfisoxazole. Most people with salmonellosis recover without antibiotics. However, if antibiotics are necessary, some of the illnesses in this epidemic may be difficult to treat with commonly recommended antibiotics and may require a different antibiotic choice.
About salmonella infection
Food contaminated with Salmonella usually does not change in appearance, smell, or taste. 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 developing severe illness because their immune systems are weaker.
If you eat any of the recalled products and develop symptoms of salmonella infection, you should seek medical attention. Special tests are needed to diagnose salmonellosis, so people who are sick should tell their doctor that they may have been exposed to salmonella. Symptoms of Salmonella infection can mimic other illnesses, often leading to misdiagnosis.
Symptoms of salmonella infection may include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever within 12 to 72 hours of eating contaminated food. Otherwise healthy adults are usually sick for 4 to 7 days. However, in some cases, diarrhea can become very severe and require hospitalization.
People with weakened immune systems, such as the elderly, children, pregnant women, and cancer patients, are more likely to develop serious and sometimes life-threatening conditions.
Some people who are infected do not get sick and do not show any symptoms. However, you can still spread the infection to others.
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