Ground beef has been linked to more than a dozen people getting salmonella across four states on the East Coast, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
At least 16 illnesses have been reported as of July 25, six of which have led to hospitalization, but no deaths have been recorded so far. According to CDC data, nine of the people sickened are in New Jersey, five are in New York, one is in Connecticut, and one is in Massachusetts.
Only ground beef was mentioned as a common diet consumed by the sick. The CDC reported that 80 percent lean ground beef from ShopRite was purchased in stores in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York.
All of the people who could recall which product they consumed and where it was from reported doing so. The infections were recorded between April 27 and June 16, per the CDC.
The CDC added that no recalls have been made so far and that health officials are still looking into this outbreak to identify the source of the salmonella-contaminated ground beef.
“The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak,” the government agency reported.
Salmonella infections can cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and fever. According to the CDC, symptoms usually appear six hours to six days after infection, but some patients may not experience symptoms for weeks.
Most people’s symptoms go away on their own in four to seven days, but in certain cases, they might worsen to the point of hospitalization. The CDC added that those who are most at risk for developing a serious infection are children under five, people over 65, those with compromised immune systems, and pregnant women.
Should an individual develop severe symptoms, such as bloody stools, a fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit, diarrhea that doesn’t improve after three days, severe vomiting, or signs of dehydration, the CDC advises that you call your doctor immediately.
