FDA discovers new Salmonella outbreak; research has not yet found a source

The Food and Drug Administration is investigating a new outbreak of infections caused by Salmonella.

The agency has not yet determined the source of the Salmonella Irumu, but traceback has begun. The FDA has not reported which food or foods are being traced.

As of July 10, there were 26 confirmed patients in the outbreak. The FDA did not disclose the ages or locations of the patients.

There are likely many more patients in the outbreak due to underreporting. This is because many people do not seek medical attention or are not explicitly treated for Salmonella. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that for every confirmed patient in a Salmonella outbreak, 29 patients go unreported.

In other outbreak news
Salmonella Typhimurium infections have grown from 80 to 83 patients in the past week. Investigations are ongoing and the FDA has begun traceback efforts. The agency has not yet reported which food or foods are being traced.

The FDA did not report the ages of the patients or where they live.

About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria usually does not look, smell or taste spoiled. However, anyone can become ill from a Salmonella infection. According to the CDC, infants, children, seniors and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk for serious illness because their immune systems are fragile.

Anyone who has developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctor about possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria, because special tests are needed to diagnose salmonellosis. Symptoms of Salmonella infection can mimic other diseases, often leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of a Salmonella infection may include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours of eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. However, in some cases, the diarrhea can be so severe that patients require hospitalization.

Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop serious illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.

Some people become infected without showing symptoms. However, they can still spread the infection to others.

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