A foodborne outbreak previously thought to be limited to just a handful of states has now been identified in more than a dozen states.
On Thursday, Wisconsin officials identified alfalfa sprouts as the source of a simultaneous outbreak of both salmonella and E.coli.
The Ministry of Health reported 17 illnesses and one hospitalization in the state, along with 23 cases in the neighboring area Minnesota.
The outbreak appeared to be regional and was not on the list CDC‘s national outbreak web page.
However, on Friday the CDC issued an “urgent” food safety alert, saying illnesses linked to the sprouts have now been reported in 15 states and the number of cases has reached 55.
There are four hospital admissions.
Of the 55 cases, two people contracted both salmonella and E.coli.
The outbreak is linked to the distribution of Brussels sprouts to restaurants and shops from Everything Sprouts and sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands.
On Thursday, Wisconsin officials identified alfalfa sprouts as the source of a simultaneous outbreak of both salmonella and E.coli (stock image)
The map above shows where people have gotten sick associated with alfalfa sprouts
Officials advise Americans to check their homes for the affected alfalfa sprouts and throw them away immediately.
The products should not be consumed and those who may have eaten them should monitor for symptoms of E.coli and salmonella, including diarrhea (sometimes bloody), stomach cramps and low fever.
If symptoms become severe, patients should seek immediate medical attention.
Adding the outbreak to the list, there are now at least four Salmonella outbreaks and two E.coli outbreaks being monitored by the CDC or the FDA. along with the nationwide outbreak of cyclosporiasis linked to shredded iceberg lettuce.
One of the salmonella outbreaks has been traced to jalapenos, one to turtles and one to shell eggs.
The E.coli outbreak is linked to frozen blueberries.
At least 431 people have been sickened by jalapenos, including 57 who have been hospitalized, in 32 states.
No deaths have been reported in connection with that outbreak.
Eight people, including three who have been hospitalized, in six states have been sickened by the turtle-linked outbreak.
Finally, 98 people, including 26 who were hospitalized, have become ill from salmonella in the outbreak linked to shell eggs. Diseases span 17 states and no deaths have been recorded.
The E.coli outbreak linked to frozen blueberries has seen 12 cases, four hospitalizations and no deaths in two states.
Meanwhile, the nationwide outbreak of cyclosporiasis has sickened nearly 16,000 people and killed two people in 47 states.
While federal officials blame the outbreak on iceberg lettuce imported from Mexico — which has now been discontinued — and assure Americans that the vegetable is now safe to eat, tests on no sample from the supplier have returned a positive result for the cyclospora parasite.
