[Oremem/Idamem] Safeway Egg salad implicated in Salmonellosis outbreak in Oregon

[Phillip Barker]

>From the Oregon Department of Human Services:

September 30, 2003  
Contact: Bonnie Widerburg (503) 731-4180
Technical contact: Paul Cieslak, MD (503) 731-4030

Egg salad implicated in Salmonellosis outbreak

A commercially prepared egg salad has been identified as the source of an
outbreak of salmonellosis, public health officials in the Oregon Department
of
Human Services (DHS) announced today.

The implicated product was sold only at Safeway deli counters, either in
bulk
or as sandwich fillings. 

"Consumers who have any of this product at home should discard it
immediately," said Paul Cieslak MD, manager of communicable disease programs
in DHS. 

To date, at least 11 persons in multiple counties throughout the state have
been infected with Salmonella Typhimurium, all stemming from this source,
but
none has been hospitalized. The illnesses were linked to egg salad purchased
at Safeway in the first 10 days of September.

"These people bought the egg salad at a number of different stores in
Oregon,
so we believe it was contaminated before it reached Safeway," said Cieslak.
"We are working with the manufacturer and Safeway officials to try to
identify
the causes of this outbreak; meanwhile, anyone with any leftover egg salad
purchased from Safeway in early September should discard it immediately."
Cieslak advised. 

DHS, the Oregon Department of Agriculture, the federal Food and Drug
Administration and other agencies are continuing to investigate
circumstances
leading to the outbreak. The manufacturer agreed to stop distribution of
this
product, and Safeway has removed it from their deli outlets.

Salmonellosis is an intestinal infection characterized by diarrhea, fever,
and
abdominal cramps. Symptoms usually develop within five days of eating
contaminated food and may last for up to a week. The risk of severe illness
is
highest for infants, the elderly, and persons with compromised immune
systems,
according to Cieslak.

"Most individuals get better without treatment. Antibiotics are not
recommended for persons with uncomplicated illness, because they do not
shorten symptoms and may increase the risk of carrying Salmonella for a
longer
time," Cieslak said. "People who ate this egg salad and but didn't get sick
need not worry about it; but if you are sick enough to seek medical
attention,
it would be worth mentioning this to your doctor."

### 







Lisa Joyce
Legislative and Intergovernmental Relations Manager
Oregon Department of Human Services
(503) 945-5727
lisa.r.joyce@state.or.us

Phil Barker
Curry County Computer Services
Gold Beach, Oregon 97444
541.247.3370 Desk
541.253.7550 Cellphone