Ohio reports 68 salmonella cases; most in nation

Posted in News
by besttech

The salmonella outbreak affecting the nation has grown to include the recall of more than 125 peanut butter products because of their reported link to the food-borne illness and salmonella is being blamed for 68 reported cases of in Ohio — the most of any state.

Nearly two-thirds of the state’s cases originate from Northeast Ohio in Cuyahoga, Summit, Lake, Huron, Lorain and Geauga counties. Cuyahoga has the highest number of reported cases, with 17.

Lorain County Health Commissioner Ken Pearce said two cases have been confirmed in Lorain County since late December and early January — one being an Oberlin College student, and the other being a young child. Further information on what each consumed and when is unknown.

“Yes, we have had two positive lab results for salmonella, but the details have yet to be followed up on because we are trying to locate the individuals,” Pearce said. “The lab results indicate it is the same bacterium, but we are still trying to determine the link.”

The salmonella outbreak also is being blamed for at least one death in Ohio. An elderly Summit County woman died earlier this month after she contracted the disease, state health officials said during a conference call Tuesday morning.

Three other reported deaths first linked to the outbreak have not been connected to the same strain salmonella, said Christopher Weiss, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Health.

Of the 68 reported cases in Ohio between Oct. 1, 2008, and Jan. 8, 35 cases are females and 33 are males. Twenty have been hospitalized. The patients range from 2 months to 89 years old.

“Salmonella is especially dangerous for the very young, elderly and people with compromised immune systems,” Pearce said.

“Salmonella is very common. Thousands of cases are reported each year, with hundreds of deaths nationwide,” said Alvin Jackson, director of the Ohio Department of Health. “There are likely more cases that the ODH does not know about because people get sick, never go to the hospital and get well. But we believe by doing what we are doing to raise public awareness, we will lower the number of incidences in Ohio.”

County and state health officials are warning consumers to remain cautious about the peanut butter products they consume.

“If you have peanut butter on your shelf, verify where it came from,” Jackson said. “If you cannot verify where it came from, don’t eat it.”

–Lisa Roberson, The Chronicle-Telegram

Contact Lisa Roberson at 329-7121 or lroberson@chroniclet.com.

Link to FDA Web site…. www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm#All

What is salmonella?

A bacterium that can be transmitted through tainted food or food products. It can also be passed from the feces of people or animals to other people or other animals through close contact.

What are the symptoms?

Most persons infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection.

How is it treated?

Salmonella infections usually resolve in five to seven days and often do not require treatment other than oral fluids. Those with severe diarrhea may require re-hydration with intravenous fluids. Antibiotics are not usually necessary unless the infection spreads from the intestines.