Mystery salmonella outbreak sickens hundreds

WASHINGTON (UPI) — The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday it’s investigating the cause of a salmonella outbreak that’s sickened 419 people in 35 states.

Public health officials haven’t tied the illnesses to any specific food item and they’re seeking help from the public to track down the cause.

Of the hundreds sickened, 66 have been hospitalized. No deaths have been associated with the outbreak.

The CDC said it first started receiving reports of people sick with salmonella on Aug. 30, peaking at 25 cases per day in late August and early September.

Symptoms of salmonella include diarrhea, fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit, vomiting, dehydration, dry mouth and throat, and dizziness. The CDC said symptoms generally begin 6 hours to six days after ingestion.

Most people recover from the illness without treatment about four to seven days after it starts.

Children younger than 5 years old, adults older than 65 and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to experience severe illness.

Reporting by Danielle Haynes