CDC Final Investigation Notice: Outbreak of Salmonella Infections Linked to Chicken

A final CDC investigation notice regarding a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to kosher chicken is now available: https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/chicken-08-18/index.html.

Key Points:

• As of December 7, 2018 this outbreak investigation is over.
• A total of 25 sick people were reported from six states (Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia).
• Eleven people were hospitalized, including one person whose death was reported from New York.
• Illnesses in this outbreak started from September 25, 2017 to August 13, 2018. CDC began investigating this outbreak in late June 2018 after the New York State Department of Health found several ill people reported eating kosher chicken.
• The investigation indicated that some kosher chicken products were contaminated with Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:- and made people sick.

Advice to consumers:

• This outbreak is a reminder that raw chicken can contain germs that can make you sick.
• Always cook raw chicken, including chicken breasts, whole chickens, and ground chicken, to an internal temperature of 165°F to prevent food poisoning. Use a food thermometer to make sure it is cooked to this safe temperature.

• CDC is not advising that people avoid eating kosher chicken or Empire Kosher brand chicken.
• Thoroughly wash hands, counters, cutting boards, and utensils with warm, soapy water after they touch raw chicken.
• Use a separate cutting board for raw chicken and other raw meats to avoid contaminating fruits, vegetables, and other food that won’t be cooked before it is eaten.
• Don’t wash raw chicken before cooking. During washing, chicken juices can spread in the kitchen and contaminate other food, utensils, and countertops.
• More prevention advice can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/features/salmonellachicken/index.html

• People can 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