The CDC just updated its information on the Salmonella food poisoning outbreak linked to Foster Farms brand chicken processed by Foster Farms, a poultry producer with plants in Oregon, Washington, California and Alabama. Washington and Oregon have the most Salmonella victims: Oregon (39) and Washington (56). Other states affected include the following: Alabama (1), Alaska (11), California (9), Hawaii (1), Idaho (2), Massachusetts (1), Montana (2), New York (1), Utah (3), Virginia (1), and West Virginia (1). All of the people with confirmed cases of Salmonella linked to this outbreak were sickened by the same strain of Salmonella Heidelberg. Many of them, 31%, were hospitalized.
How has Foster Farms chicken been linked to this outbreak?
- Testing conducted by the Washington State Public Health Laboratories identified the outbreak strain of Salmonella Heidelberg in four intact samples of chicken collected from three ill persons’ homes in Washington.
- Epidemiologic (interviews with Salmonella victims and their families) and traceback investigations conducted by public health officials indicate that consumption of chicken is the most likely source of this outbreak of Salmonella Heidelberg infections. Washington and Oregon have identified Foster Farms brand chicken as the most likely source of the infections in their states. Approximately 81% of ill persons interviewed report consuming chicken in the week before becoming ill.
Fred Pritzker is our lead Salmonella lawyer. He and his Bad Bug Law Team have won millions for Salmonella victims and their families in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits against food processors, distributors, retailers, restaurants and others. You can contact them for a free consultation here.
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