A major investigation is underway in the US following a multi-state outbreak of salmonella linked to eggs from a Wisconsin farm.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 65 people in nine states have become infected with salmonella, including 42 in Wisconsin and 11 in Illinois.

Cases have also been confirmed in Michigan, California, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Utah, and Virginia.

The CDC said that 24 people have been hospitalised and no deaths have been reported.

Eggs

Last Friday (September 6), Milo’s Poultry Farms LLC of Bonduel, Wisconsin issued a recall of eggs sold to stores and restaurants in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois.

The recall includes all egg types such as conventional cage-free, organic, and non-GMO, carton sizes, and expiration dates in containers labelled with “Milo’s Poultry Farms” or “Tony’s Fresh Market”.

Anyone who purchased the recalled eggs has been advised to not eat them or cook with them and to throw them away and restaurants have been not sell or serve the recalled eggs.

The company has directly notified foodservice customers who received recalled product.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspected Milo’s Poultry Farms and collected samples.

Analysis showed the outbreak strain of salmonella was found in the packing facility and the hen egg laying house.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), along with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP), local health departments, and federal agencies, are working to investigate the salmonella outbreak.

Salmonella

The CDC said that this salmonella outbreak may be difficult to treat with some commonly recommended antibiotics and may require a different antibiotic choice for people who need them.

Most people infected with salmonella experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps with symptoms usually starting between six hours and six days after swallowing the bacteria.

The CDC noted that most people recover without treatment after four to seven days.

However, some people, especially children under 5, adults 65 years and older, and people with weakened immune systems, may experience more severe illnesses that require medical treatment or hospitalisation.

The CDC estimates that salmonella causes about 1.35 million illnesses, 26,500 hospitalisations, and 420 deaths in the US every year.