Salmonella 5 signs , Egg Recall

More than 200 million cartons of eggs have been recalled across nine states over concerns of salmonella. NPR reports that the contaminated produce has been linked to at least 22 illnesses. It’s the latest in a string of bacteria related food recalls, including one on romaine lettuce because of a possible E-coli outbreak.

So how concerned should consumers be? Joseph Galati, M.D., the Medical Director for the Center of Liver Disease and Transplantation at The Methodist Hospital in Houston, says salmonella can be especially serious and sometimes result in deaths for young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.

The signs to look out for are:

• fever
•  diarrhea
• nausea
• vomiting
• abdominal pain

However, it can take up to 72 hours after eating a contaminated food for the person to actually become ill.

“Don’t forget, salmonella can be spread from person to person. So it is important to make sure you’re properly hand washing and taking precautions if you are caring for or around another person who has fallen ill,” says Dr. Galati

From the FDA:

Through an abundance of caution Rose Acre Farms of Seymour, Indiana is voluntarily recalling 206,749,248 eggs because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella Braenderup, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals infected with SalmonellaBraenderup can experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella Braenderup can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The eggs were distributed from the farm in Hyde County, North Carolina and reached consumers in the following states: Colorado, Florida, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia through retail stores and restaurants via direct delivery.

22 illnesses have been reported to date.

The affected eggs, from plant number P-1065 with the Julian date range of 011 through date of 102 printed on either the side portion or the principal side of the carton or package, as follows:

Lot Codes 011 – 102

The voluntary recall was a result of some illnesses reported on the U.S. East Coast, which led to extensive interviews and eventually a thorough FDA inspection of the Hyde County farm, which produces 2.3 million eggs a day. The facility includes 3 million laying hens with a USDA inspector on-site daily.

Consumers who have purchased shells eggs are urged to immediately discontinue use of the recalled eggs and to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at (855) 215-5730 between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Standard time.

The following is a link to the FDA Investigates Salmonella Braenderup Infections Linked to Shell Eggs from Rose Acre Farms.