CDC reports two Salmonella outbreaks linked to eggs and restaurant jalapeño peppers
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 443 Salmonella cases in 30 states are tied to recalled eggs and jalapeño peppers served at several restaurant chains, resulting in 62 hospitalizations.
Federal health officials say two separate Salmonella outbreaks have sickened a total of 443 people across 30 states, leading to 62 hospitalizations. One outbreak is associated with eggs produced by Midwest Poultry Services, which were recalled after contamination concerns. The CDC has linked that strain to 98 illnesses, including 26 hospitalizations, among consumers in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi and New Mexico who purchased eggs under brands such as Kroger, Simple Truth, Brookshire's, Cal-Maine and Country Morning.
The larger outbreak involves jalapeño peppers served at restaurant chains including Chipotle Mexican Grill and Qdoba. The CDC attributes 345 cases and 36 hospitalizations to peppers that originated in Sinaloa, Mexico, and were distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors, which has agreed to a recall. Minnesota and Colorado each reported 110 cases, the highest counts among the affected states.
Salmonella typically causes diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, with symptoms appearing from six hours to six days after exposure. While most healthy adults recover without complications, the infection can be severe for young children, older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Public health agencies are continuing to trace both outbreaks. Consumers who purchased the recalled eggs are advised to check carton labels, discard any affected products and clean any surfaces that may have come into contact with them. People who ate at the implicated restaurants and develop symptoms should monitor their condition and seek medical care if illness persists or worsens.