Outbreak of drug-resistant Salmonella linked to raw turkey in 26 states including MA

CDC and public health and regulatory officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of multidrug-resistant Salmonella Reading infections linked to raw turkey products. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) is monitoring the outbreak.

•Ninety people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Reading have been reported from 26 states. ◦Forty people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.

• Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicates that raw turkey products from a variety of sources are contaminated with Salmonella Reading and are making people sick.

•In interviews, ill people report eating different types and brands of turkey products purchased from many different locations. Two ill people lived in a household where raw turkey pet food was fed to pets.

•The outbreak strain has been identified in samples taken from raw turkey pet food, raw turkey products, and live turkeys.

•A single, common supplier of raw turkey products or of live turkeys has not been identified.

•The outbreak strain of Salmonella Reading is present in live turkeys and in many types of raw turkey products, indicating it might be widespread in the turkey industry. CDC and USDA-FSIS have shared this information with representatives from the turkey industry and asked about steps that they may be taking to reduce Salmonella contamination.