Salmonella Outbreak 2007

Posted by
Judy Arbique
Jul 14, 2007

As of July 10, 2007, 60 cases of Salmonella Wandsworth have been reported to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak which began in early March has now affected persons in 19 states (California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin).

Symptoms associated with infection in the current outbreak included blood diarrhea (77%). No deaths have been associated with the outbreak; however, 10% of persons infected required hospitalization.

Consumption of Robert’s American Gourmet brand Veggie Booty is the most likely source of infection. Veggie Booty is a puffed rice and corn snack with a vegetable coating. The manufacturer voluntarily recalled the product on June 28. In addition, the manufacturer recalled Super Veggie Tings Crunchy Corn Sticks due to shared ingredients found in both products; however, consumption of Super Veggie Tings has not been linked to infection.

Salmonella Wandsworth was isolated from 4 sealed bags of Veggie Booty obtained from commercial retailers. Salmonella Typhimurium was also isolated from an additional sealed bag of Veggie Booty: although Salmonella Typhimurium is also a common source of salmonella foodborne illness, it has not been linked to the current outbreak. The source of product contamination has not as yet been determined.

Numerous strains of Salmonella can cause foodborne illness. Salmonella Wandsworth is a rare strain of Salmonella.

Symptoms associated with salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps beginning 12 to 72 hours after infection and lasting 4-7 days. Treatment of salmonella infection is supportive: fluids are administered to prevent dehydration and in some cases hospitalization is required. Antibiotics are not administered to treat infection, and may actually make matters worse.

Read more on foodborne illness:

Salmonella Outbreak: Restaurant Tomatoes the Source

Foodborne Illness: Infectious Dose and Attack Rate

Traveller’s Diarrhea: Risk and Associated Pathogens

E. coli and E. coli 0157: Commensals and Pathogens

For more information on the outbreak and continued updates, visit the CDC website.