Ohio impacted by salmonella outbreak: What you really need to know

Just as Thanksgiving nears, more than 70 new cases of salmonella have been linked to raw turkey products, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While the outbreak was first announced in July, more cases have popped up in recent months. Approximately 164 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Reading have been reported from 35 states, as of early November. One person in California has died, and 63 people have been hospitalized.

Five cases have been reported in Ohio so far, according to the CDC’s tracking map. Here is what you need to know:

» RELATED CONTENT: Ohio leads for salmonella cases linked to backyard chickens

Is the outbreak linked to a certain kind of turkey product? 

The outbreak has not been linked to one specific brand of turkey product, and ill people reported purchasing products from many different locations. The outbreak strain has been identified in samples taken from raw turkey pet food, raw turkey products and live turkeys, according to the CDC.

Is salmonella common in Ohio? 

Approximately 1,300 people with salmonella infections are reported each year in Ohio, according to the Ohio Department of Health. However, the true number of Ohioans infected each year is estimated to be more than 37,000 because many people do not seek medical treatment and are not diagnosed with salmonella.

What are the symptoms of salmonella? 

Signs of salmonella infections in humans include diarrhea, fever, stomach pain occurring one to three days after ingesting the bacteria. Symptoms usually resolve within one week. A diagnosis is made by culturing salmonella from stool.

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