Authorities believe that tomatoes may have spread salmonella infection (salmonellosis) that has made over 170 people ill and put 11 people in hospital in 18 states in the USA. Officials stress they are not sure yet whether the outbreak is linked to a specific food or outlet chain. So far, nobody has died, says the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention).

Authorities say reports of people becoming ill started to come in a couple of weeks ago. Local health officials, the CDC, as well as the FDA are trying to find the source(s) of the infections. 60% of infected patients are women, nearly all infected people so far are adults.

The following states have reports of people becoming ill with salmonellosis:

— Arkansas
— Connecticut
— Georgia
— Indiana
— Kentucky
— Maine
— Massachusetts
— Michigan
— Minnesota
— North Carolina
— New Hampshire
— Ohio
— Pennsylvania
— Rhode Island
— Tennessee
— Virginia
— Vermont
— Wisconsin

What are Salmonella and Salmonellosis?

Salmonella is a bacteria. Salmonella infection is called Salmonellosis.

Symptoms

— diarrhea
— fever
— abdominal cramps (Spanish: Retortijon)
These symptoms appear about 12 – 72 hours after infection.

Prognosis (Outlook)

Most people recover after about 4 – 7 days without treatment. If the diarrhea is very severe the patient may have to stay in hospital. If the infection spreads from the intestines into the bloodstream, other parts of the body can become infected and the patient will urgently need antibiotics. People with weak immune systems, babies, and the elderly are vulnerable to complications.

There are several types of Salmonella bacteria. Many have built up resistance to some antibiotics, principally because antibiotics are added to the feed of farm animals.

How do you catch salmonella?

— The most common way is by eating food that contains animal feces (droppings, excrement).

— An infected person who does not wash his/her hands after going to the toilet can infect other people and contaminate the things he/she touches.

— If your pet is infected you can catch it if you do not wash your hands after touching its feces.

— Reptiles, even healthy ones, harbor Salmonella. If you have a pet reptile always wash your hands with soap afterwards (it does not matter what part of the reptile’s body you touched). It is important that your children know this.

Cooking the food will kill the bacteria. However, make sure you have washed your hands with soap before you serve it. While preparing food, remember to regularly wash your hands with soap.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today