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September 30, 2003 Contact: Bonnie Widerburg (503) 731-4180 Technical contact: Paul Cieslak, MD (503) 731-4030 Egg salad implicated in Salmonellosis outbreak A commercially prepared egg salad has been identified as the source of an outbreak of salmonellosis, public health officials in the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) announced today. The implicated product was sold only at Safeway deli counters, either in bulk or as sandwich fillings. "Consumers who have any of this product at home should discard it immediately," said Paul Cieslak MD, manager of communicable disease programs in DHS. To date, at least 11 persons in multiple counties throughout the state have been infected with Salmonella Typhimurium, all stemming from this source, but none has been hospitalized. The illnesses were linked to egg salad purchased at Safeway in the first 10 days of September. "These people bought the egg salad at a number of different stores in Oregon, so we believe it was contaminated before it reached Safeway," said Cieslak. "We are working with the manufacturer and Safeway officials to try to identify the causes of this outbreak; meanwhile, anyone with any leftover egg salad purchased from Safeway in early September should discard it immediately." Cieslak advised. DHS, the Oregon Department of Agriculture, the federal Food and Drug Administration and other agencies are continuing to investigate circumstances leading to the outbreak. The manufacturer agreed to stop distribution of this product, and Safeway has removed it from their deli outlets. Salmonellosis is an intestinal infection characterized by diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Symptoms usually develop within five days of eating contaminated food and may last for up to a week. The risk of severe illness is highest for infants, the elderly, and persons with compromised immune systems, according to Cieslak. "Most individuals get better without treatment. Antibiotics are not recommended for persons with uncomplicated illness, because they do not shorten symptoms and may increase the risk of carrying Salmonella for a longer time," Cieslak said. "People who ate this egg salad and but didn’t get sick need not worry about it; but if you are sick enough to seek medical attention, it would be worth mentioning this to your doctor." There is a fact sheet regarding Salmonella available on the Web.
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