Here are some of the latest health and medical news
developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:
Salmonella Outbreak Affects 100 People in 19 States: CDC
A outbreak of salmonella has now affected 100 people across 19
states, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
reported Friday.
According to the agency, between Jan. 28 and March 25 salmonella
infections linked to the outbreak have been reported in Alabama (2
cases), Arkansas (1), Connecticut (5), District of Columbia (2),
Georgia (4), Illinois (9), Louisiana (2), Maryland (10),
Massachusetts (4), Mississippi (1), Missouri (1), New Jersey (7),
New York (23), North Carolina (2), Pennsylvania (3), Rhode Island
(4), South Carolina (3), Texas (3), Virginia (5) and Wisconsin
(9).
So far 10 people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been
reported, the CDC said.
All of the infections have been from a strain of salmonella
called Salmonella Bareilly. The CDC had previously tied the
outbreak to sushi/sashimi, but no one food source has yet been
conclusively pinpointed as the source of illness.
Symptoms of salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever and
abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. Most people
recover within 4 to 7 days without treatment, but some cases are
deadly if not treated with antibiotics. The elderly, the very young
and people with compromised immune systems are most at risk of a
severe illness from salmonella infection.
If you suspect you have eaten contaminated food, the CDC
recommends contacting your doctor. "CDC will update the public on
the progress of this investigation as information becomes
available," the agency said.
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Allergic Reactions Spur Recall of Odwalla Chocolate Drink
Odwalla Chocolate Protein Monster beverages are being recalled
after four people with peanut allergies suffered severe allergic
reactions after drinking the product.
The recall covers 12-ounce and 32-ounce bottles with "enjoy by"
dates to and including May 23, 2012. The bottles were distributed
nationwide, the
Associated Press reported.
People with peanut and/or tree nut allergies may be at risk for
a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if the consume the
drink, Odwalla Inc. said.
The Coca-Cola-owned company said the drink contains no peanut or
tree nut ingredients and the company is working with the Food and
Drug Administration to investigate the cause of these allergic
reactions, the
AP reported.
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Turtle-Linked Salmonella Sickens 72 in 17 States: CDC
Salmonella outbreaks linked to small pet turtles have sickened
72 people in 17 states, according to an investigation update
released Thursday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.
Fifty-nine percent of the cases involve children 10 or younger.
Twelve people have been hospitalized but no deaths have been
reported.
The number of cases in the affected states are: Arizona (2),
California (12), Georgia (1), Indiana (1), Kentucky (1),
Massachusetts (3), Maryland (6), Michigan (1), Minnesota (1), North
Carolina (1), New Jersey (6), New Mexico (3), New York (21),
Pennsylvania (7), Texas (4), Virginia (1), and Vermont (1).
The CDC investigation found that the outbreaks involving three
strains of salmonella were caused by exposure to small pet turtles
(shell length less than 4 inches) or their environments, such as
water from turtle habitats.
Ninety-two percent of the people with salmonella illness had
small turtles and 43 percent of them said they bought the turtles
from street vendors.
The CDC said turtles with a shell length of less than 4 inches
should not be bought or given as gifts.