Salmonella outbreak linked to eggs leaves dozens hospitalized
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Key takeaways:
- Of 65 cases of Salmonella infection linked to eggs, 24 have resulted in hospitalization.
- Milo’s Poultry Farms issued a recall of all eggs sold under its two brand names.
A Salmonella enteriditis outbreak linked to eggs has left dozens hospitalized in nine states, prompting a Wisconsin farm to recall all eggs supplied by their farm to retailers, foodservice distributors and individual customers.
Since May, 65 people in nine states have been infected with the same strain of Salmonella, which CDC and FDA investigators traced back to Milo’s Poultry Farms, based in Bonduel, Wisconsin.
Of 65 people for whom the CDC has information, 24 have been hospitalized, but there have been no deaths.
Most of the illnesses, which are linked to eggs branded “Milo’s Poultry Farms” and “Tony’s Fresh Market,” have occurred in Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, where cases of eggs were shipped to retailers and foodservice distributors. Cases have also been reported in California, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Utah and Virginia, according to the CDC.
“The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses,” the CDC said in a report on the investigation. “This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.”
State and local health officials are still interviewing people about the foods they ate in the week before getting sick, with many saying they had eaten at the same restaurants in the 7 days before falling ill, the CDC said. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services identified four illness clusters among people who ate eggs at the same restaurants.
On Sept. 6, Milo’s Poultry Farm issued a voluntary recall for all sizes and types of eggs — including conventional, cage-free, organic and non-genetically modified organism — regardless of expiration date, according to the FDA. The company also directly contacted foodservice locations and retailers in Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan that received the recalled eggs.
Wisconsin, which has reported 42 of the outbreak’s 65 cases, has advised residents in the state to check their homes for any eggs under either of the Milo’s brands and to contact a health care provider if they have eaten any of the eggs.
“Anyone who purchased the recalled eggs is advised to not eat them or cook with them and throw them away,” the department said. “Restaurants should not sell or serve recalled eggs. Check your home for this product.”
References:
- CDC. Salmonella: Investigation details. https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/eggs-09-24/details.html. Published Sept. 6, 2024. Accessed Sept. 9, 2024.
- CDC. Salmonella: Salmonella outbreak linked to eggs. Published Sept. 6, 2024. Accessed Sept. 9, 2024.
- CDC. Salmonella: When people got sick. https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/eggs-09-24/epi.html. Published Sept. 6, 2024. Accessed Sept. 9, 2024.
- CDC warns of recalled eggs sold in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin, linked to Salmonella outbreak. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s0906-salmonella-outbreak.html. Published Sept. 6, 2024. Accessed Sept. 9, 2024.
- DHS identifies salmonella infections linked to eggs sold in Wisconsin. https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/news/releases/090624.htm. Published Sept. 6, 2024. Accessed Sept. 9, 2024.
- Outbreak investigation of Salmonella: Eggs (Sept 2024). https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-eggs-sept-2024. Accessed Sept. 9, 2024.
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