CDC Identifies Potential Source of Interstate Salmonella Outbreak

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is looking at cilantro and lime as potential sources of a salmonella outbreak that has sickened almost 300 people in 29 states, USA Today reports.

The outbreak has led to 26 hospitalizations but fortunately no deaths to date, the CDC reports. Texas has reported the most cases—81—followed by Oklahoma with 40 cases, Illinois with 23 cases, and Virginia with 22 cases.

Health officials believe true number of cases is much higher than reported as some people recover from salmonella without medical care and are not tested for it. It can take up to four weeks to determine whether someone was part of an outbreak.

Although the source of the outbreak has not been confirmed, officials from affected states have collected food samples from restaurants where people who came down with the illness ate. They found salmonella in a condiment cup containing cilantro and lime. The cup also previously contained onions, but there were none inside when the food was tested.

Symptoms of salmonella infection include diarrhea, vomiting, fever, stomach cramps, and dehydration, which can begin six hours to six days after being exposed to the bacteria, according to the CDC. Most people recover without treatment after four to seven days. 

The outbreak is a reminder for facilities that serve food, such as schools, to practice safe food handling practices to protect building residents from salmonella and other foodborne illnesses.  The CDC recommends that people working in foodservice practice food safety measures such as cleaning utensils, hands, and foods regularly, as well as separating different items and making sure all food is cooked to a high enough temperature. The agency also recommends refrigerating perishable items within two hours and thawing foods in a refrigerator.