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Salmonella in Ground Turkey? 1 Dead, 26 States Hit by Outbreak

By Admin on August 03, 2011 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Is there salmonella in your ground turkey? A months-long salmonella outbreak seems to be tied to the ground meat.

Government officials are still searching for the underlying cause of the outbreak. So far, it has inflicted 76 people will illness and has killed a Californian resident. 26 states have been affected by the outbreak of antibiotic-resistant salmonella.

Geographically, the salmonella outbreak is widespread, with cases from California to North Carolina and New York, to name a few states.

The outbreak has been moving along since March, reports CBS News. The CDC said that some samples of ground turkey taken from supermarkets between March and June showed that there were strains of salmonella, but these strains have not been matched to the illnesses that have stricken Americans.

USDA rules make it difficult for salmonella-related recalls in poultry products since the bacteria is common in chickens, turkeys and the like. Officials must find a direct link between the salmonella bacteria and the manufacturer or producer of the poultry, and having salmonella in poultry itself is not illegal, according to CBS News.

Salmonella infections and illnesses usually occur around 12 to 72 hours after infection, and most will recover from the illness. Common symptoms can include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. The elderly, young children and those with impaired immune symptoms have more of a risk of suffering from severe illnesses.

What can consumers do to help prevent salmonella infections? Don't eat raw or undercooked meats. Try to make sure your poultry is well-cooked, with no pink in the middle. And, make sure that raw products do not contaminate other products, and wash your hands and kitchen utensils thoroughly after handling raw meats.

While these measures may not completely eliminate risks, it can help reduce the chances of a salmonella outbreak affecting you or your family. And, consumers might want to take extra caution if they decide to purchase poultry products, as there may be salmonella in your ground turkey.

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