Hannaford Ground Beef Salmonella Update
Food poisoning experts who have studied the timeline in the Hannaford ground beef Salmonella outbreak say it is similar to past outbreaks where up to three new cases per month are detected through molecular review of Salmonella infections by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
By that analysis, the number of people sickened by now could be approaching 25. The states hardest hit have been New York, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts.
Because the meat in question was sold over a long time period -- from at least October 12 to mid-December -- officials continue to urge consumers to check their home freezers for recalled Hannaford ground beef products and not eat them. Restaurant and food service operators should not serve it.
Click here for full details of the Hannaford ground beef recall. Packages have sell-by dates of December 17, 2011, or earlier. Epidemiologists in Maine and New York have confirmed by testing product found in the homes of two ill people that hamburger in recalled packages is contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium. This strain is resistant to multiple antibiotics, which may be associated with an increase in the risk of hospitalization or possible treatment failure in infected individuals. Nearly half of case patients have been hospitalized..jpg)
From October 8 through December 17, a total of 19 people were confirmed as victims in this outbreak. The latest CDC update said the pattern associated with illness in this outbreak has been seen before and in the past typically caused 0-3 cases per month. By that measure, the detection system operated by the CDC in conjunction with state and local health departments and physicians around the country likely has confirmed at least 22 cases by now, maybe more.
Most persons infected with Salmonella bacteria develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment. However, in some persons, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics. Older adults, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness from Salmonella infection.
If you or a loved one has legal questions about claims, liability and a possible Hannaford Salmonella lawsuit, contact a lawyer at food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or leave your contact information an an attorney will call you. Our firm is one of the few legal groups in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and we have collected millions for survivors of outbreaks throughout the country, including many New England cases. Consultations are free and we agree to take your case, you owe us nothing until a claim is won for you.
