Wednesday, August 25, 2021

CDC Investigating Two Salmonella Outbreaks That May Be Linked to Italian-Style Deli Meats

The CDC is investigating two multistate outbreaks of Salmonella infections—one involving Salmonella Typhimurium infections and one with Salmonella Infantis infections, with the likely sources of both outbreaks being Italian-style meats.  As of August 24, 2021, a total of 36 people are reported as being infected with either Salmonella outbreak strain - 23 people with Salmonella Typhimurium  and 13 people with Salmonella Infantis.

"CDC is advising people at higher risk for severe Salmonella illness to heat Italian-style meats to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot before eating."



Salmonella Outbreaks Linked to Italian-Style Meats
https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/italian-style-meat-08-21/details.html
Investigation Details

Posted August 24, 2021

Fast Facts
Illnesses: 36
Hospitalizations: 12
Deaths: 0
States: 17
Recall: No
Investigation status: Active
August 24, 2021

CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) are collecting different types of data to investigate two multistate outbreaks of Salmonella infections—one involving Salmonella Typhimurium infections and one with Salmonella Infantis infections.

Epidemiologic data show that the likely sources of both outbreaks are Italian-style meats. Investigators are working to determine specific brands and products that are causing illnesses and whether the outbreaks are linked to the same Italian-style meat brands and products.

Epidemiologic Data

As of August 24, 2021, a total of 36 people infected with either Salmonella outbreak strain have been reported. This includes 23 people who are part of the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak and 13 people who are part of the Salmonella Infantis outbreak.




The true number of sick people in the outbreaks is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreaks may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.




Outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections

Twenty-three sick people have been reported from 14 states (see map). Illnesses started on dates ranging from May 30, 2021, to July 27, 2021 (see timeline).




Sick people range in age from 4 to 91 years, with a median age of 44, and 67% are male. Of 21 people with information available, 9 have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.




State and local public health officials interviewed people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Officials also obtained sick people’s shopper records with their consent. Of the 16 people with information, 14 (88%) ate Italian-style meats, including salami, prosciutto, coppa, and soppressata, that can often be found in antipasto or charcuterie assortments; several brands were reported. This percentage was significantly higher than the 40% of respondents who reported eating pepperoni or other Italian-style meats in the FoodNet Population Survey—a survey that helps estimate how often people eat various foods linked to diarrheal illness. This comparison suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from eating Italian-style meats.




Outbreak of Salmonella Infantis infections

Thirteen sick people have been reported from seven states (see map). Illnesses started on dates ranging from May 9, 2021, to June 24, 2021 (see timeline).




Sick people range in age from 1 to 74 years, with a median age of 41 years, and 31% are male. Of 10 people with information available, 3 have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.




State and local public health officials interviewed people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick and collected their shopper records with their consent. Of the 8 people with information, all (100%) ate Italian-style meats, including salami and prosciutto, that can often be found in antipasto or charcuterie assortments; several brands were reported. This percentage was significantly higher than the 40% of respondents who reported eating pepperoni or other Italian-style meats in the FoodNet Population Survey—a survey that helps estimate how often people eat various foods linked to diarrheal illness. This comparison suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from eating Italian-style meats.




Laboratory Data

Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. CDC PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS).




For each outbreak, WGS showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples are closely related genetically. This suggests that people in each outbreak got sick from eating the same food.




Outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections

WGS of bacteria from 20 sick people’s samples predicted resistance to ampicillin for 19 (95%) samples and to chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole, and tetracycline for all samples. Standard antibiotic susceptibility testing by CDC’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) laboratory is currently underway. Most people with Salmonella illness recover without antibiotics. However, if antibiotics are needed, illnesses in this outbreak may be difficult to treat with ampicillin and may require a different antibiotic choice.




Outbreak of Salmonella Infantis infections

WGS of bacteria from 12 people’s samples did not predict any antibiotic resistance. Standard antibiotic susceptibility testing by CDC’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) laboratory is currently underway.




Public Health Actions

Investigators are working to identify which Italian-style meat brands and products are making people sick.




Until then, CDC is advising people at higher risk for severe Salmonella illness to heat Italian-style meats to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot before eating.

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