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A Salmonella outbreak in nine states of the U.S. caused 31 victims in California according to official releases.
As of May 21st, people across 53 cases of salmonella infection have been reported in nine states. The counting includes Arizona, Illinois, the state of Mississippi, New Mexico, South Dakota, Virginia and Washington, as well as Wisconsin.
The bacteria that causes food poisoning and is ranked among the most common sources for the disorder in the U.S. was found in sushi and sashimi products that contained raw tuna. Delicacy as it may be sushi proved in this case to be a health threat.
According to federal health officials, out of the 53 cases of salmonella infection, only ten required hospitalization.
In the state of California, the 31 patients who suffered the infection came from Los Angeles County, with nine people, Orange County with 6 people, Riverside County with four people. The rest counted 7 cases in San Diego County, 4 cases of salmonella infection in Ventura County and 1 case in Santa Barbara County.
Therefore, the stream of infections is laid across the Southland of California, yet no common source for the raw tuna that caused the infections has been traced.
According to the Department of Public Health:
„The California cluster is part of a multi-state Salmonella…outbreak that is likely linked to consumption of raw tuna, commonly used in sushi”.
Efforts continue to trace the source of the salmonella bacteria, perhaps through food distributors that are responsible for catering to the sushi restaurants where the patients were infected.
Out of the ten cases that were hospitalized no deaths have been reported. Such cases are quite rare, yet the symptoms of contracting the bacteria, which include diarrhea, fever and cramping might lead to serious conditions.
The only warning release so far is for citizens of California and the other states to avoid eating raw or undercooked meat, particularly fish or shellfish.
The warning stands particularly strong for people with a low immunity system such as children or the elderly.
Image Source: sushiyoshionline.com
