A dozen people have been hospitalized with salmonella and two dozen sickened as of August 24 in multistate outbreaks of two different strains of salmonella, the US Centers for Disease and Prevention announced Wednesday.
People who became sick reported eating salami, prosciutto and other deli meats that can be found in antipasto or charcuterie assortments before their illness.
Investigators are working to identify specific contaminated products and determine if the two outbreaks are linked to the same food source,” the CDC said.
“Until we identify which Italian-style meats are making people sick, heat all Italian-style meats to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot before eating if you are at higher risk,” the CDC advised.
You are at higher risk from a severe salmonella sickness if you are 65 years or older, have a chronic health or immune-compromising condition, or take any medications that lower your immunity and your body’s ability to fight germs.
“Children younger than 5 years are also more likely to get very sick from Salmonella,” the CDC said.
Multi-state outbreak
The case count of infections of both outbreaks is likely much larger, the CDC said, as it can take weeks for reports of illness to be alerted, counted and investigated. In addition, the CDC said, many people could have mild illnesses that are not reported.
A strain of salmonella called Typhimurium infected a group of 23 people from 14 states between the end of May and July 27, the CDC said. Laboratory testing found that 20 of these cases were resistant to common antibiotics such as chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline.
