Salmonella Cases Reported in Michigan

Cargill Value Added Meats Retail, business unit of Cargill Meat Solutions based in Wichita, Kansas, on August 3rd had announced a prompt recall of exactly 36 million frozen ground turkey products which had been produced at the company's facility in Springdale, Arkansas. The products date which are subject to recall are February 20 to August 2, 2011.

Currently there is a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Heidelberg infections which most likely have been suggested to be caused by the consumption of the current recall of ground turkey. It has now been noted that investigators are using DNA "fingerprints" of salmonella bacteria obtained through diagnostic testing along with pulsed-field gel in order to identify cases of illness which may be part of this outbreak.

This outbreak strain of Salmonella Heidelberg is resistant to numerous common prescribed antibiotics. The resistance to antibiotics can add to the risk of hospitalization and even possible treatment failure in those people who are infected.

As of August 2, this outbreak has been linked to 78 cases and one reported death in the state of California. The number of persons who are affected in Michigan is at ten one of the highest number of cases along with Ohio.

It has been mentioned that the illnesses had started on or after March 9, 2011. Persons who have been affected have ranged from less than one years old to eighty-eight years old with an average age of being affected at 23 years old. It also has been noted that 48% of infected cases are female. Among the 58 persons affected with available information 38% have been hospitalized.

Health Official are stating that the contaminated turkey is safe to consume providing it is cooked at 165 degrees Fahrenheit and temperature confirmed by using a meat thermometer. Good food safety practices should also be used which includes hand washing with warm soapy water for a minimum of twenty seconds before and after handling the raw meat and clean all cutting boards and surfaces well.

The recall list can be viewed in PDF format at Stage One Recall.

The stores affected in this recall in Detroit and surrounding areas include:

Aldi

Kroger

Meijer

Walmart

Safeway

According to the CDC most persons affected by Salmonella bacteria develop a fever, diarrhea, abdominal cramps within 12 to 72 hours after infection. This illness usually last four to seven days and most persons do recover without treatment. However, please note that in some cases diarrhea can be so severe that hospitalization is needed. This infection can spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then proceed to spread to other sites in the body. It can cause death unless person is treated with antibiotics. Those who are elderly, infants and those with impaired immune system are more than likely to have a severe illness to salmonella infection.

Currently there are attorneys notifying consumers if you have tested positive for salmonella after consuming ground turkey products you may entitled to significant compensation. You can run a search under food poisoning lawyers.

Emergency Locations in Detroit:

Henry Ford Hospital

2799 West Grand Boulevard

313-916-2600

Children's Hospital of Michigan

3901 Beaubien Street

313-745-5473

Harper University Hospital

3990 John R Street

313-745-80470

Detroit Receiving Hospital and University Health Center

4201 Saint Antoine Street

313-745-3251

St. John Detroit Riverview Hospital

7733 East Jefferson Avenue

313-499-3000

St. John Hospital and Medical Center

22101 Moross Road

313-343-4000