CDC Investigation Notice: Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Raw Turkey Products

A CDC investigation notice regarding a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to raw turkey products is now available: https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/reading-07-18/index.html

Key Points:

• CDC and public health and regulatory officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Reading infections linked to raw turkey products. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is monitoring the outbreak.
• As of July 19, 2018, 90 sick people have been reported from 26 states, including 40 people who have been hospitalized.
• No deaths have been reported.
• Illnesses in this outbreak started from November 20, 2017 to June 29, 2018.

• Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicates that raw turkey products from a variety of sources are contaminated with Salmonella Reading and are making people sick.
• A single, common supplier of raw turkey products or of live turkeys has not been identified.
• The outbreak strain of Salmonella Reading has been identified in raw turkey products, including ground turkey and turkey patties. The outbreak strain has also been found in raw turkey pet food and live turkeys, 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
• This investigation is ongoing and CDC will provide more information as it becomes available.

Advice to consumers:

• Always handle raw turkey carefully and cook it thoroughly to prevent food poisoning.
• CDC is NOT advising that consumers avoid eating properly cooked turkey products, or that retailers stop selling raw turkey products.
• General ways you can prevent Salmonella infection include good handwashing and cooking turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F. More prevention advice here: https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/general/prevention.html
• People get sick from Salmonella 12 to 72 hours after swallowing the germ and experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.
• Most people recover within a week, but some illnesses can last longer and be more severe.

If you have further questions about this outbreak, please call the CDC media line at (404) 639-3286. If you have questions about cases in a particular state, please call that state’s health department.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES