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Salmonella outbreak in Accomack County in Virginia linked to private event sickens over 50 people.
More cases are likely unreported.
Here’s what we know so far!
Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital in Onancock, Virginia recently received an unusually high number of patients reporting gastrointestinal illness.
Salmonellosis. The illness caused by Salmonella bacterial infection.
At least 52 patients reported to the hospital between Sunday and Tuesday this week (7/27 to 7/29).
Based on patient’s recent activities, the overlapping source was a “private event” where there was food served. Accomack County Health Department officials indicate that the potential source of these illnesses came from improper food storage. However, a specific food source has not been announced.
The investigation is ongoing.
Salmonella is a type of bacteria. It is a germ given the rank of “leading cause of foodborne illness,” often resulting in hospitalization and deaths in the United States. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that Salmonella is responsible for around 1.35 million infections across the country each year.
The amount of time it takes between eating or drinking something contaminated with Salmonella bacteria can vary. But most people begin experiencing symptoms somewhere between six hours and six days after exposure.
Salmonella bacteria is most associated with intestinal illness.
Common symptoms include:
Seek medical attention right away if you have:
Most people feel sick for about a week. However, the range across the board falls somewhere between four and seven days.
Most people do not need treatment for Salmonella infections. For this reason, most Salmonella infections go unreported.
Taking anti-diarrheal medications or even antibiotics (unless truly necessary) can actually cause more harm than good. Anti-diarrheal medications slow the digestive system, allowing the bacteria to stick around longer. This increases the likelihood of severe illness and potential complications.
For the most part, people can get by with rest and fluids.
Dehydration is a serious concern, so be sure to replace lost fluids with water, electrolyte drinks, and other non-sugary and non-caffeinated options.
Anyone who consumed potentially contaminated food from the private event associated with the Salmonella outbreak in Accomack County can become sick.
But certain groups of people have conditions or susceptibilities that make them more likely to become sick if exposed, and experience more severe symptoms if infected.
Those more vulnerable to Salmonella infection include:
Those more likely to experience sever symptoms include:
While most people do not need medical intervention and are not prescribed antibiotic treatment, those in the higher risk group are more likely to receive treatment.
In some cases, complications may arise from infection.
Most of the time Salmonella bacteria are limited to the intestinal tract. But, in some cases, the bacteria can breach the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream capillaries and veins found there. When this happens, bacteria may infect the urinary tract, blood, bones, joints, and even the nervous system.
Salmonella complications to be on the lookout for in this Accomack County outbreak include reactive arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and bacteremia that can affect other parts of the body.
Yes! Salmonella can be quite contagious. Preventing the spread of this potentially deadly infection comes down to vigilant hand washing.
This is why Salmonella illness tends to spread through families with young children more easily. Children are more likely to ineffectively wash their hands or forget to do so.
Salmonella can be very dangerous. It is the leading cause of foodborne illness, hospitalization, and deaths in the United States and across the globe!
This little germ can cause serious illness and spread rapidly, potentially causing serious or life-threatening illnesses in more vulnerable populations. These include young children, older adults, and those with a weakened immune system.
So far there is not a declared food source attributed to this Salmonella outbreak in Accomack County. However, health officials have indicated that improper temperature control was a likely cause.
Temperature control is important to keep harmful germs from growing to infectious numbers. In fact, that dangerous range between 40° F and 140° F where these germs can rapidly reproduce is dubbed “The Danger Zone.”
To prevent this, hot food should be kept hot (above 140° F) and cold food should be kept cold (below 40° F). Food left between these safe zones for more than two hours should be discarded. If the temperature around the food is above 90° F, this time drops to one hour.
Just about anything can become contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. However, certain foods have been associated with Salmonella contamination more than others.
Common foods associated with Salmonella include:
If you may have become sick from this Salmonella outbreak in Accomack County, there are a few things that you can do to help your situation and potentially help track down the source of the outbreak.
If you begin having symptoms consistent with a Salmonella infection, seek medical attention right away. If you are not sick enough to need medical care, it is still a good idea to report your illness to your local health department.
This outbreak investigation involving Salmonella from cucumbers is ongoing. Outbreak investigators can use additional information to either narrow or broaden the food involved in this outbreak. Your data can help.
As soon as you feel well enough to do so, make a list of the foods you ate, in the time leading up to becoming sick. Be as specific as possible. The more information investigators have, the better.
If you have become seriously ill in this Salmonella outbreak in Accomack County, it is a good idea to get advice from an experienced Salmonella Lawyer. A Salmonella lawyer can help answer questions you may have and even some that you have not thought about. They can help you get the resources you need to recover and help hold accountable those responsible for your illness.
If you have been impacted by this Salmonella outbreak and wish to make a legal claim, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a Salmonella lawyer that can help.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has successfully represented cases just like yours and won millions of dollars in food poisoning and products liabilities lawsuits.
Reach out by calling (833) 330-3663 or send us an email for a free, no obligation consultation.
Don’t wait. Call today to get the justice you deserve!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
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