As of January 6, 2009, 474 people have become ill because of infection with Salmonella Typhimurium associated with peanut butter and paste products across 43 states between Sept 8, 2008 and Jan 2, 2009. (see http://hellotxt.com/l/VbIc%22%3Ehttp://hellotxt.com/l/VbIc for a map and breakdown of how many people per state)
We may be near the end of the outbreak (hopefully), but as in any statistical representation of a disease outbreak, there may be many more affected people than are reported. This is because not everyone seeks health care when they have an illness. And not all illnesses are confirmed by lab tests and then reported to the health department. Reported illnesses are only those that have confirmation by lab testing, which is usually in the case of illnesses severe enough to require hospitalization OR that last longer than the average routine illness.
The CDC is collaborating with the FDA to identify the source of infection.Just under a fifth of the people infected required hospitalization. There have been at least 6 deaths that may be associated with the outbreak. The elderly and the very young are at greatest risk. Symptoms include stomach cramps and diarrhea.
The salmonella typhimurium outbreak is linked to peanut butter and paste produced by PCA-Peanut Corporation of America in their Blakely, Georgia plant. The health department in the state of Minnesota reported that King Nut Peanut Butter (a product of PCA distributed by King Nut company and sold to schools and institutions) had salmonella bacteria that was a genetic match to the salmonella involved in this outbreak. Because of these findings, PCA has recalled peanut butter product that was produced in the Blakely, GA plant after August 8, 2008. Peanut PASTE products produced in that plant after September 26, 2008, are recalled as well.
Production has been stopped at that plant as of January 2009 while the FDA investigates the source of contamination.
AT THIS TIME, no nationally produced brand name jars of peanut butter are involved in the outbreak.
The investigation is expected to continue throughout this next week and as long as it takes to remove all contaminated food from the food supply. However, you are advised to avoid institutionally prepared peanut butter foods (school, hospital, company cafeteria, etc) until further notice. And specifically avoid food that has been named in the recall. This includes peanut butter ice cream, candy, cake, cookies, crackers, sandwiches, etc.
I'll try to keep you updated as the investigation goes along. Be cautious and stay safe!
The information for this summary was gleaned from the CDC outbreak website: http://hellotxt.com/l/VbIc%22%3Ehttp://hellotxt.com/l/VbIc and the FDA outbreak website: http://hellotxt.com/l/xhGa
Picture of Salmonella Typhinurium from http://www.giantmicrobes.com/ca/products/salmonella.html
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