New Salmonella outbreak has sickened 100 people; ongoing investigation into the E. coli outbreak

Federal public health personnel are investigating a new outbreak of Salmonella illnesses. So far, the Food and Drug Administration has not identified a source of the pathogen.

The FDA reports that 100 patients have been identified in the outbreak of Salmonella Africana infections. However, the agency did not report where the patients live or how old they are.

Investigative efforts into the outbreak include traceback, but the FDA has not reported which food or foods it is tracing.

Other outbreak news
Ongoing research into the source of E. coli O157:H7 contamination of organic walnuts has been expanded.

The FDA is now conducting on-site inspections and sample analyses, but the agency is not reporting the specific location of the inspections or sampling.

In its previous update on the walnut outbreak, the FDA reported that of 10 patients interviewed, all 10 reported eating walnuts, and nearly all reported purchasing organic walnuts from bulk bins at food co-ops or health food stores.

As of April 30, there were 12 confirmed patients in the outbreak. Seven of the patients were so ill that they had to be admitted to hospitals. E. coli O157:H7 is a particularly dangerous strain of the pathogen and often results in serious illness, sometimes leading to kidney failure or brain damage.

On April 27, Gibson Farms Inc. started operations. issued a voluntary recall and contacted their distributing customers. Distributors and retailers who may have received recalled bulk organic walnuts. The organic walnuts were distributed in health food stores and cooperatives in the following states: Alaska, Arkansas Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Consumers with the recalled walnuts on hand are urged to throw them away. If it is not clear which company distributes the organic walnuts, they should be thrown away. The FDA is working to determine which specific stores received the walnuts. Some stores have repackaged bulk walnut halves and pieces in plastic clamshells or bags.

The recalled walnuts were sold in bulk boxes in 25-pound quantities and are identified by lots 3325-043 and 3341-501 with expiration dates 5/21/25 and 6/7/25.

About E.coli infections
Anyone who has eaten organic walnuts and developed symptoms of an E. coli infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctor about their possible exposure to the bacteria. Specific tests are needed to diagnose the infections, which can mimic other diseases.

The symptoms of E. coli infections vary from person to person, but often include severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, which is often bloody. Some patients may also have a fever. Most patients recover within five to seven days. Others may develop serious or life-threatening symptoms and complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

About 5 to 10 percent of those diagnosed with E. coli infections develop a potentially life-threatening complication of kidney failure known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include fever, abdominal pain, feeling very tired, decreased frequency of urination, minor unexplained bruising or bleeding, and paleness.

Many people with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent injury or death. This condition can occur in people of any age, but is most common in children under five years of age due to their immature immune systems, in older adults due to a deteriorating immune system, and in people with compromised immune systems, such as cancer patients.

People who experience HUS symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately. People with HUS are likely to be hospitalized because the condition can cause other serious and persistent problems, such as high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, brain damage, and neurological problems.