June 10, 2013

US reports salmonella outbreak in 34 states

The Atlanta-based Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has reported a total of 224 people across 34 states to be infected with Salmonella Typhimurium.

The agency said epidemiologic, laboratory and trace back results have linked the outbreak to contact with live chicks, ducklings and other live young poultry purchased from multiple feed stores and sourced from multiple mail-order hatcheries. However, the investigation into the source of the live poultry is on-going, the centre said.

The illnesses began between March 4 and May 20, according to the centre. However, illnesses that occurred after May 12 might not yet be reported as it takes an average of two to three weeks between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported.

Infected persons range in age from less than one year to 81 years, the agency said. There have been no deaths reported, although among 141 ill persons with available information, 37 were hospitalised. A majority of the infections (62 %) occurred in children 10 years old or younger.