The Outbreak
Nearly 300 individuals testing positive for Salmonella have been reported to the Central District Health Department (CDHD) since Monday, June 8.
CDHD is currently investigating each reported Salmonella case to help determine the exact source of the illness. So far, there is a possible link to the Boise Co-op. However, other cases not associated with the food establishment have also been detected.
CDHD is working closely with the Boise Co-op to identify how Salmonella may have entered a food source. Multiple food samples have been sent to the state public health laboratory for testing and results are pending. Additionally, lab tests have not yet confirmed whether those involved contracted the same strain of Salmonella. More information regarding the food samples and strain(s) is expected by late next week.
Salmonella is a bacteria that lives in the intestines of people, animals and birds. It generally causes symptoms of diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, and sometimes vomiting. For the elderly, children, and those with compromised immune systems, symptoms can be more serious. Symptoms often begin 12-72 hours after consuming contaminated food. Commonly infected foods can include raw meat, poultry and seafood, raw eggs, fruits and vegetables.
Deli Closed
“We are voluntarily closing our Deli due to the salmonella outbreak investigation currently underway with the Central District Health Department (CDHD),” the co-op wrote on its Facebook page.
“These cases have now been confirmed as linked to food prepared in our Deli. As an added precaution, any foods purchased from our Deli after June 1, 2015 should be discarded.
If You Have Symptoms
CDHD encourages anyone who is experiencing symptoms of fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain and/or vomiting they believe could be related to something they ate, to talk to their health care provider. Anyone who is ill with these symptoms should stay home to help prevent the spread to others. In addition, they should fill out a foodborne illness report on the CDHD website, cdhd.idaho.gov.
Preventing Salmonella
Some tips to prevent Salmonella include:
• Cook poultry, ground beef and eggs thoroughly.
• Do not eat or drink foods containing raw eggs or raw, unpasteurized milk.
• Wash hands, kitchen work surfaces, and utensils with soap and water immediately after they have been in contact with raw meat or poultry.
• Be particularly careful with foods prepared for infants, the elderly, and the immunocompromised.
• Wash hands with soap after handling reptiles, birds, or baby chicks, and after contact with pet feces.
• Avoid direct or even indirect contact between reptiles (turtles, iguanas, other lizards, snakes) and infants or immunocompromised persons.
• Don’t work with raw poultry or meat, and an infant (e.g., feed, change diaper) at the same time.
Salmonella infections can have a broad range of illness, from no symptoms to severe illness. The most common clinical presentation is acute gastroenteritis. Symptoms include diarrhea, and abdominal cramps, often accompanied by fever of 100°F to 102°F (38°C to 39°C). Other symptoms may include bloody diarrhea, vomiting, headache and body aches. The incubation period, or the time from ingestion of the bacteria until the symptoms start, is generally 6 to 72 hours; however, there is evidence that in some situations the incubation can be longer than 10 days. People with salmonellosis usually recover without treatment within 3 to 7 days. Nonetheless, the bacteria will continue to be present in the intestinal tract and stool for weeks after recovery of symptoms—on average, 1 month in adults and longer in children.
Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of Salmonella outbreaks. The Salmonella lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of Salmonella and other foodborne illness outbreaks and have recovered over $600 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation. Our Salmonella lawyers have litigated Salmonella cases stemming from outbreaks traced to a variety of foods, such as cantaloupe, tomatoes, ground turkey, salami, sprouts, cereal, peanut butter, and food served in restaurants. The law firm has brought Salmonella lawsuits against such companies as Cargill, ConAgra, Peanut Corporation of America, Sheetz, Taco Bell, Subway and Wal-Mart.
Contact the Marler Clark Salmonella Attorneys
If you or a family member became ill with a Salmonella infection after consuming contaminated food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, you can contact the Marler Clark Salmonella attorneys for a free case evaluation. Marler Clark is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of Salmonella outbreaks and other foodborne illnesses. The law firm has represented thousands of victims of Salmonella and other foodborne illness infections, and is the only firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation. You can fill out the contact form or call toll-free at 866-770-2032. There is no cost to you.