This week, the CDC, public health and regulatory officials announced in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections. Here is everything we know about this Milo’s Poultry Farms Salmonella Egg Outbreak:
Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback data show that eggs supplied by Milo’s Poultry Farms are contaminated with Salmonella and are making people sick.
As of September 6, 2024, a total of 65 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from 9 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from May 23, 2024, to August 10, 2024. Of 63 people with information available, 24 have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.
The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.
Public health officials collect many different types of information from sick people, including their age, race, ethnicity, other demographics, and the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. This information provides clues to help investigators identify the source of the outbreak.
The table below has information about sick people in this outbreak (“n” is the number of people with information available for each demographic).
State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Several sick people reported eating at the same restaurants before getting sick. These illness clusters can provide clues about what food item may be making people sick. If several unrelated sick people ate or shopped at the same location of a restaurant or store within several days of each other, it suggests that the contaminated food item was served or sold there. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services identified four illness clusters at restaurants where eggs were served.
Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. CDC PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS). WGS showed that bacteria from sick peoples’ samples are closely related genetically. This suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from the same food.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection traced the source of eggs supplied to restaurants where ill people ate before they got sick. Records show that Milo’s Poultry Farms supplied eggs to those restaurants.
FDA conducted an inspection at Milo’s Poultry Farms and collected samples. FDA’s analysis showed the outbreak strain of Salmonella was found in the packing facility and the hen egg laying house.
WGS analysis of bacteria from 65 people’s samples showed predicted resistance to nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin. More information is available at the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) site. Most people with Salmonella illness recover without antibiotics. However, if antibiotics are needed, illnesses in this outbreak may be difficult to treat with some commonly recommended antibiotics and may require a different antibiotic choice.
On September 6, 2024, Milo’s Poultry Farms recalled eggs. CDC is advising people not eat, sell, or serve recalled eggs.
Milo’s Poultry Farms, LLC. of Bonduel, WI is recalling all “Milo’s Poultry Farms” and “Tony’s Fresh Market” branded eggs because these eggs have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
Milo’s Poultry Farms’ eggs were distributed in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan through retail stores and foodservice distributors.
This recall includes:
The recall was initiated after the FDA informed the company that environmental samples tested positive for the bacteria. FDA also conducted whole genome sequencing and found that the samples were related to an ongoing Salmonella outbreak investigation.
Milo’s Poultry Farms, LLC. has ceased production and distribution at this time and will undergo appropriate testing and sanitization of farms and processing equipment.
What type of Salmonella infections should you be looking out for?
Symptoms and their severity may vary from person to person. Most normally healthy people only experience mild symptoms and generally recover on their own without medical intervention. Others may experience more serious illness and require medical treatment or even hospitalization to recover.
Common symptoms of Salmonella infection include:
These symptoms usually begin between six hours and six days after exposure to contaminated food. Most people feel better within a week (four to seven days).
Only those with severe symptoms or at higher risk of severe symptoms typically receive antibiotic treatment.
Higher risk people include children under 5 years old and those taking certain medications (like stomach acid reducers). Infants, adults over 65 years old, and those with a weakened immune system are more likely to experience severe illness if sickened.
Some people may experience complications from Salmonella bacterial infections. It may take quite some time for bowel habits to return to normal. Some people may experience irritable bowel syndrome symptoms for up to six months. Maybe longer.
Others may develop a type of arthritis, where the Salmonella bacteria enter the joints causing pain. Those with this type of “reactive arthritis” may also experience eye irritation and painful urination.
Salmonella illness can continue to spread beyond those who consumed eggs. Diarrheal illness spreads easily unless precautions are taken.
Hand hygiene is important, regardless of exposure risk. Washing hands after using the restroom, changing diapers, and coming in contact with higher risk items (such as places where animals live and eat, raw meats, etc.) Also important is washing hands before preparing or eating food.
Someone experiencing diarrheal illness should not prepare food or care for more vulnerable members of the family.
If your symptoms become severe, reach out to your healthcare provider. In some cases, infection can leave the digestive system and enter the bloodstream. This can cause serious complications that may require hospitalization.
If you have become sick from this Milo’s Poultry Farms Salmonella Egg Outbreak, you may want to get advice from a food poisoning lawyer. The experienced Salmonella lawyers at The Lange Law Firm, PLLC have helped many people with cases just like yours. Their compassionate team can go over the details of your situation to determine if you have a legal case.
Call (833) 330-3663 for more information or click here to email.
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