A multistate outbreak of salmonella seems to have come to an end after many months, according to a report. The outbreak was a result of salmonella-tainted poultry.
According to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), 195 fell ill with Salmonella Newport, Salmonella Infantis or Salmonella Lille. Two people reportedly died and 34 had to be hospitalized. Further, 33 percent of the ill children were 10 years of age and below.
CDC's final update on the issue reveals that the salmonella outbreak spanned across 27 states. The number of ill persons identified in each state was as follows: Alabama (4), Arizona (1), Arkansas (1), Delaware (1), Georgia (5), Illinois (4), Indiana (6), Kansas (1), Kentucky (11), Louisiana (1), Maryland (5), Maine (4), Massachusetts (7), Michigan (2), North Carolina (15), Nebraska (1), New Jersey (5), New York (23), Ohio (42), Pennsylvania (16), Rhode Island (2), South Carolina (2), Tennessee (11), Texas (2), Virginia (9), Vermont (3) and West Virginia (11).
This is just one of the numerous food-borne illnesses sweeping across the nation. One in every six Americans contract sickness because of tainted food. Many blame the food inspectors for not taking a closer look at what they are inspecting. The lack of implementation by the FDA of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which Obama signed and passed in 2011, is also held responsible for the outbreaks.
After collaborating with several health and inspection agencies, including the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, National Poultry Improvement Plan and Veterinary Services, the CDC found that the outbreak was caused by contact with, and consumption of, live poultry.
"Mail-order hatcheries, agricultural feed stores, and others that sell or display chicks, ducklings, and other live poultry should provide health-related information to owners and potential purchasers of these birds prior to the point of purchase. This should include information about the risk of acquiring a Salmonella infection from contact with live poultry," reports CDC in its update.
Eggs and meat from tainted poultry were also responsible for the spread of the disease. The ill reported of having bought live poultry to grow in their backyard for producing eggs and meat.
The CDC also advises people not to cuddle, kiss or pet live poultry. To those who do handle poultry, always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water right after touching live poultry or anything in the area where they live and roam. Adults are also requested to supervise hand-washing for young children.