BOSTON — A recent report from the CDC warns Massachusetts and 26 other states have been affected by a salmonella outbreak linked to raw turkey products.
Ninety people nationwide have been infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Reading as of July 11. Forty of those people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported.
According to the CDC, illnesses were reported from November 20, 2017, to June 29, 2018.
Epidemiological and laboratory evidence shows that raw turkey products from a variety of sources are to blame for the outbreak. A single, common supplier of raw turkey products or of live turkeys has not been identified.
Those infected by the outbreak strain have reported eating different types and brands of turkey products purchased at multiple different locations. Two of those infected live in a household where raw turkey pet food was fed to pets.
The outbreak strain can be found in live turkeys and in many types of raw turkey products, indicating this might be a widespread problem throughout the turkey industry.
The CDC and the USDA-FSIS are currently working with representatives from the turkey industry to contain the contamination.
The CDC advises consumers to handle raw turkey carefully and cook it thoroughly before eating to prevent food poisoning. This outbreak is a reminder that raw turkey products, like most other raw meats, can have germs that spread around food preparation areas and can make you sick.
Consumers are also advised to wash their hands properly before and after handling raw meat products, to wipe down any surfaces that have come into contact with those products and not to feed raw food diets to pets.
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