The St. Clair County Health Department in Illinois is investigating a Salmonella Newport outbreak among people who attended the Belleville Chili Cook-off on October 8, 2016. That event was held on October 7 and 8, 2016. Those sickened were at the event on October 8, 2016.
There is no word on the number of people who are sick, just that the cluster all are infected with Salmonella Newport bacteria with the same pulsed field-gel electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern of JJPX01.0381. We also do not know if any of the patients have been hospitalized. There is also no word on the source of the bacteria, or what public health officials are looking at in the investigation.
The county is asking health care providers to watch for anyone presenting with symptoms of a Salmonella infection, and to test them. Then, if the lab test comes back positive, ask if the patient traveled to St. Clair County or attended the Cook-off before they got sick. Any positive Salmonella tests among those who were in St. Clair County should be sent to public health officials for PFGE testing to see if they match the outbreak strain.
There were 60 vendors at the event, which was held in downtown Belleville, Illinois. People who were sickened live in St. Clair, Madison, and Lake counties in Illinois. One patient lives in Missouri.
Salmonella Outbreaks
Previous Salmonella outbreaks have been linked to ill food service workers, undercooked meats, produce, and foods that were cross-contaminated before being served. Salmonella outbreaks investigated by the CDC this year include an outbreak linked to shell eggs, an outbreak linked to raw alfalfa sprouts, and one linked to pistachios.
Salmonella bacteria live in chickens and can be found in the soil. Produce can be contaminated with Salmonella through animals in the farm fields, through contaminated irrigation water, and in processing and transportation.
Salmonella Symptoms
The symptoms of a Salmonella infection include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, chills, headache, muscle pains, and blood in the stool. These symptoms usually appear six to seventy-two hours after exposure to the bacteria. Most people recover on their own, but some do get sick enough to need hospitalization.
If you have been diagnosed with a Salmonella infection and attended the Cook-off, call our experienced attorneys for a free consultation. Even if you recover completely from your illness, the possible long term consequences of a Salmonella infection can be serious, including reactive arthritis and high blood pressure.
