The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is currently investigating a Salmonella outbreak in Chicago and other areas. At least 26 cases have been confirmed in the city. The Salmonella outbreak is linked to ground beef, stated IDPH.
However, at this time the source of the ground beef has not been identified. The IDPH is working with the CDC, local health departments, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS.
Food Safety Tips
Residents are urged to follow safe food handling steps when they prepare and eat ground beef. This includes:
- Refrigerate or freeze ground beef as soon as possible. If placed in the refrigerator, keep the meat at 40°C or below. It should also be used within one to two days. It is suggested that people wrap the beef in heavy-duty plastic wrap, aluminum foil, freezer paper, or plastic bags made for freezing. While properly wrapped ground beef is safe indefinitely frozen, it will lose its quality over time.
- Properly thaw the meat. The best way is in the fridge. “Keeping meat cold while it is defrosting is essential to prevent the growth of bacteria. Cook or refreeze within 1 or 2 days,” according to the USDA. People can rapidly defrost meat in cold water or in the microwave.
- Don’t eat raw or undercooked ground beef. Ground beef should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F. A food thermometer can give people accurate internal temperatures.
Areas Salmonella Cases
Cook, Lake, Kane, DuPage, McHenry, and Will counties have all reported cases of Salmonella. Additionally, other states have reported a small number of Salmonella cases. The CDC is investigating those cases as well.
The dates of the cases range from April 25 to May 18. Some of those infected reported eating undercooked ground beef. This Salmonella outbreak helps highlight the importance of food safety.
Symptoms
Normally, people experience stomach cramps, diarrhea, and a fever with a Salmonella Infection. The symptoms can start within six hours to six days after a person becomes infected. Salmonella infections can last four to seven days.
However, some individuals don’t develop symptoms for several weeks. Other people can have symptoms last for several weeks.
Sometimes Salmonella strains cause infection in the blood, bones, joints, or the nervous system (brain and spinal fluid). It can cause severe disease. Testing can detect bacterial infection in a person’s fluids, stool (feces), and body tissue.
Treatment
Most individuals recover without antibiotic treatment within a week of becoming infected. People should drink extra fluids to help them stay hydrated as long as the diarrhea lasts.
A doctor will prescribe antibiotics to those:
- With severe illness.
- Weakened immune systems. Like those on chemotherapy or who have HIV.
- People older than 50 with medical issues like heart disease.
- Children younger than 12 months.
- Individuals age 65 or older.
In addition to following food safety steps, people should wash their hands before and after handling raw meat. Also, people should clean surfaces and utensils often.
By Sheena Robertson
Sources:
IDPH: Public Health Officials Warn about a Salmonella Outbreak Affecting NE Illinois
CDC: Salmonella Questions & Answers
USDA: Ground Beef and Food Safety
WGN 9: IDPH investigating Salmonella outbreak after 26 cases in Chicago area
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