A salmonella outbreak that has sickened dozens of people across 17 states has been linked to millions of recalled eggs, though federal health officials say other sources may also be contributing to the illnesses.
Roughly 1.6 million cartons of white and cage-free brown eggs produced in Texas were recalled last week over concerns about possible salmonella contamination. The affected eggs were sold at Kroger stores in Texas and Louisiana, at Brookshire Grocery locations across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Mississippi, and distributed to foodservice and retail customers in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration have since connected the recalled eggs to an ongoing salmonella outbreak, though cases have surfaced in states well beyond where the eggs were actually sold.
As of Friday, the CDC had confirmed 98 illnesses tied to the outbreak, though the agency believes the actual number affected is likely much higher, since some people recover on their own without seeking medical care or being tested. At least 26 of those who fell ill required hospitalization, and the ages of those affected range from infants under one year old to 81.
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Texas, where the eggs originated, has recorded by far the most cases, with 73 confirmed illnesses. Louisiana follows with five cases, while Arizona has reported four.
New Mexico has recorded two cases, as has Georgia, and single cases have been reported in California, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and West Virginia, with Michigan and New York representing the illnesses furthest removed from where the eggs were distributed.
According to the FDA, the earliest reported illness occurred in late November, with the most recent case reported on June 30. No deaths have been linked to the outbreak so far. While the agency identified the recalled eggs as a common source among many of those sickened, it noted that the egg producer does not account for every illness in the outbreak, and that further investigation is underway to determine whether additional sources are involved.
Salmonella infections typically cause diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, according to the CDC, with symptoms usually appearing between six hours and six days after exposure. Most people recover without treatment within four to seven days, though illness can be more severe in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems, sometimes requiring medical treatment or hospitalization.
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In rare cases, salmonella infections can lead to more serious complications, including arterial infections, heart infections known as endocarditis, and arthritis. Nationally, salmonella causes an estimated 1.35 million illnesses and 420 deaths each year.
