Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis Infections Linked to Ground Beef

CDC is collaborating with public health officials in many states and the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections. Public health investigators are using DNA "fingerprints" of Salmonella bacteria obtained through diagnostic testing with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, or PFGE, to identify cases of illness that may be part of this outbreak. They are using data from PulseNet, the national subtyping network made up of state and local public health laboratories and federal food regulatory laboratories that performs molecular surveillance of foodborne infections. On July 22, 2012, Cargill Meat Solutions recalled 29,339 pounds of fresh ground beef products. A total of 33 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis have been reported from 7 states. The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Maine (1), Massachusetts (3), New Hampshire (2), New York (14), Rhode Island (1), Virginia (2), and Vermont (10). 11 ill persons have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported. Collaborative investigation efforts of state, local, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicate that ground beef produced by Cargill Meat Solutions at a single production facility is the likely source of this outbreak. Consumers should check their refrigerators and freezers for recalled productsExternal Web Site Icon and not eat them; retailers and food service operators should not serve them. Preliminary results of antibiotic susceptibility testing indicate that this strain of Salmonella is susceptible to commonly prescribed antibiotics. CDC and state and local public health partners are continuing laboratory surveillance through PulseNet to identify additional ill persons.