Salmonella Outbreak

 Posted on January 21, 2019 in Salmonella

According to the Center for Disease Control an outbreak of salmonella has spread across the United States. NBC news reports that this particular strand of salmonella bacteria has shown itself to be resistant to the typical antibiotics that are used to treat such infections. So far 92 people have been infected across multiple states, although only 21 people were ill enough to be hospitalized.

The Centers for Disease Control observed a peculiar strand in live chickens as well as raw poultry meat. However, no specific store or source has been singled out as spreading the foul chicken meat to the public at large. Thus, public health resources have been unable to direct consumers away from the contaminants.

Disease Management

Symptoms of Salmonella poisoning include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, cramps, fever, chills, headache, loss of appetite, and blood in the stool. If the blood in stool is observed, you must seek medical care immediately. Most adults get over Salmonella poisoning in four to seven days, but if the typical symptoms do not subside after a week, you should consider seeing a doctor. Staying hydrated is key when you are infected with salmonella poisoning as your body will be regurgitating most of its fluids. If after a day you can not even keep water down, you must seek medical help immediately.

Local Concerns

In the summer of 2018, we here in Chicago experienced a local outbreak of Salmonella but with food items that usually do not carry the bacteria. The Chicago Tribune reported that salads (McDonald's salads in particular), cereals, and fruit were reported to have infected people. The unique dangers of this situation gave us valuable insights into detecting the bacteria, but also bad news. According to nearly all reliable sources and research, it was widely accepted that Salmonella grew and thrived in exclusively wet foods. Now modern science has shown that Salmonella bacteria can survive for years in dry foods, as well. This is understandably worrisome news, few of us have ever eaten our corn flakes with fear of Salmonella poisoning. However, there are undeniable opportunities for the science community and food safety researchers to fight the disease in new and effective ways. New and innovative techniques include zapping foods with special bacteria-killing lights, heating techniques, and other mechanisms currently being tested and approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Take Action

If you or a loved one have been infected with salmonella bacteria, please seek medical attention immediately. If you suspect you know the source of the bacteria, save the food in a Ziplock bag and present it to your doctor for testing. Severe salmonella poisoning can be painful. Often times it will result in you missing work and other important engagements (child care for instance). Doctor's appointments, blood and stool tests, and hospital stays (in aggravated circumstances) will mean expensive medical bills. In worst case scenarios, some folks will have to pay for funerals. We can help. If a restaurant, grocery store, or any food vendor has served you poisonous food, this is potentially an act of negligence. Contact our law firm for a free phone consultation. We have legal professionals standing by to help either by live chat, 24 hours a day, or via phone. We help clients in the Arlington Heights, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Libertyville, Mundelein, Buffalo Grove, Schaumburg, Elk Grove, and Itasca areas.

(image courtesy of Rex Pickar)